[Of Course… criminals run rampant in this country… I forgot, our Government claims that crime is going down… But as you will see in news story after news story… crime is the scourge of this country. Jan]

People Opposing Women Abuse says it is sickening to hear of suspects killing their victims after being granted bail.

“This shows the need for urgent action to prevent more of these (incidents). We have been lobbying for a long time for a victim protection system to be put in place,” said Powa director Delphine Serumaga.

“We are still appealing to the authorities not to grant bail to woman-abuse suspects. Rape is a serious crime which impacts on the victim for a very long time, but the suspect’s rights tend to be considered more than the victim’s,” Serumaga said.

‘There are mechanisms and procedures that need to be set up’

She added that victim protection should be considered, especially in cases where the victim lived in the same community as the suspect.

“We are persistently addressing such issues with the police and the legal authorities, but nothing has happened. Are they waiting for more women to lose their lives?”

The Commission on Gender Equality (CGE) shares Powa’s sentiments and is also calling for a stronger mechanism to be put in place to to avoid further killings of rape victims by suspects on bail.

CGE commissioner Rev Bafana Khumalo said that because of the constitution, the commission could not blame the attacks on the courts.

“We do agree that no one is guilty until proven so and that, generally, no one should be held for ever in prison in the absence of evidence to convict them,” said Khumalo.

“But something needs to be done when other people’s freedom tends to pose danger. We should know what’s best between someone’s freedom and the other’s life.”

Khumalo said he was optimistic that the Sexual Offences Bill currently under discussion, led by the South African Law Reform Commission, would find a solution.

“They should come up with a legal framework against the granting of bail to rape and other cruel woman-abuse suspects,” he said.

Institute for Women’s Development in South Africa spokesperson Mothibi Mohomane said: “The courts are following their prescribed books, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

“But if this is putting victims’ lives at risk, then this should be a social concern in need of immediate attention.

“There are mechanisms and procedures that need to be set up for the police and the justice system to monitor the suspects while out on bail – just like they do to those who are out on parole,” Mohomane said.

This article was originally published on page 1 of The Star on March 21, 2005

Source: Independent Online (IOL)
URL: http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click…/p>