A man who was charged for assault with the intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm, failed to appear in the Mthatha magistrates court on Wednesday.
The 30-year-old Thozamile Gawula was charged after he allegedly burnt his girlfriend with a hot iron on Christmas day last year.
Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority Luxolo Tyali says Gawula can forfeit his R800 bail if he cannot provide the court with a relevant reason for his absence, thereafter a warrant of arrest could be issued.
Gawula allegedly burnt his 26-year-old law student girlfriend Mihle Sibembe at his home in Mthatha, after he saw a Facebook picture of her with another guy.
Sibembe was burned on the face and on her upper and lower body. She was rushed to the Nelson Mandela Academic hospital a day after the incident, where she was treated for multiple injuries.
This lead to Gawula's arrest on the 3rd of January. He was later released on bail.
