In extending her gesture of kindness, Tariq said she took into consideration that the attack occurred shortly after her patient - Sayed - had died at the hospital, and his personal circumstances.
Magistrate BH Visagie, who handled the matter, confirmed that Bux was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment - wholly suspended for five years - provided he does not commit a similar offence in that period, according to the agreement. Later that day, Bux was called by his brother-in-law to come to the hospital as “something had happened to his sister”, but he hadn’t given more details.
About his personal circumstances, Bux said he had two failed marriages and was the father of two sons with his first wife. He said assaulting a woman went against the principles of his upbringing, and his subsequent arrest and prosecution was a “harsh and severe” lesson learnt.