A grave responsibility
CARMEL RICKARD: How our courts bungle rape cases
This week’s In Good Faith column is free to read. The appeal court’s judges labelled an opinion as objectionable for a judicial officer to hold, let alone express in open court to a recidivist rapist
This year’s slogan of the annual campaign to end violence against women and children is "Count me in". So I tried to imagine how the rape trial of Gwetya Stokwe would have been different if the magistrate, prosecutor and everyone else involved in the case woke up each day saying "Count me in." Instead, the trial was a recital of errors suggesting they really didn’t care. Stokwe has 13 previous convictions, four involving violence. When he attacked and raped the woman in this case he was out on parole, having been sentenced to an effective 26 years for rape, murder and robbery. First mistake right there — deciding he was a suitable candidate for release. He and the woman were involved in "a romantic relationship", said the court. But here is the reality of that romance: he was furious when she declined food he offered her one night, so he "irrationally accused her of infidelity", then beat her up, tying her wrists with cables so she could not defend herself. Later, he took off her cl...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.