CDA upset - Gang rape case postponed 21 times; 15 April 2009

Afrikaanse teks hieronder (Sapa-report at the bottom)

CDA shocked by postponement of gang rape case

“Shocking!” This is the only way one can describe the 21^st postponement of the rape case of a woman who was gang raped while pregnant.

“Surely, with South Africa’s HIV-infection rape, and the country often being described as the rape capital of the world, women deserve better,” say Christian Democratic Alliance spokespeople for Safety and Security, and for Justice, Kevin Southgate and Dr. Christo Landman respectively.

“Almost 40 000 women each year lay charges of being raped, a walloping 75 per 100 000 per annum. Social workers believe only one in ten to one in 30 rapes in the country are reported to the police. Surely, women deserve better than this and proper law enforcement is basically the only way.”

Kevin Southgate 0827881181

Dr. Christo Landman, 0828547516

 

CDA geskok oor uitstel van bendeverkarigtingsaak

“Skokkend!” Dit is al manier waarop ‘n mens die 21ste uitstel van ‘n verkragtingsaak kan beskryf wat deur ‘n bende verkrag is terwyl sy swanger was.

“Dis tog vanselfsprekend dat met Suid-Afrika se hoë MIV-besmettingskoers, en die land wat dikwels as die wêreld se verkragtersparadys bekend staan, verdien vroue beter behandeling as wat die slagoffer te beurt val.,” sê die Christen-Demokratiese alliansie se woorvoerders vir Veiligheid en Sekuriteit, en vir Justisie, Kevin Southgate en dr. Christo landman respektiewelik.

“Bykans 40 000 vroue lê elke jaar klagtes by die polisie dat hulle verkrag is, ‘n reuse 75 per 100 000 van die bevolking. Maatskaplike werkers meen slegs een uit elke tien tot 30 verkragtings word by die polisie aangemeld. Vroue verdien beter as dit, en behoorlike wetstoepassing is een van doeltreffendste die maniere.”

Kevin Southgate 0827881181

Dr. Christo Landman, 0828547516

Issued by :

CDA National Media

Fax : 0865217466

Email : media.national@cda.org.za

 

Gang-rape case postponed for 21st time
15/04/2009 10:00  - (SA)  

Johannesburg - A woman who was allegedly gang-raped while pregnant had her case postponed for the 21st time by the high court in Johannesburg, The Times reported on Wednesday.

The woman, called Buyisiwe by gender activists, had her case postponed during Tuesday's court appearance because one of the defence lawyers turned out to be the first cousin of one of the accused.

Spokesperson for the 1-in-9 campaign Carrie Shelver, was quoted as saying: "I'm speechless. The docket went missing. Her statement and the tapes and transcripts also disappeared."

Buyisiwe was gang-raped in 2005, allegedly by eight men who broke into her house in Tembisa. The men allegedly also paraded her in the street naked before raping her again next to a pit toilet.

The case had been moved forward to April 14 following protests by a women's anti-sexual abuse coalition group against the original July 27 trial date.

The trial continues on Friday, April 17.

- SAPA