The Inkatha Freedom Party Women’s Brigade believes that heavy sentences handed down to rapists will send a strong message to other perpetrators and ensure the safety of women and children in the province.
“We welcome the 319-year prison sentence handed down by the Durban High Court to a serial rapist Bheki Doctor Magwaza of Waterloo who pleaded guilty to 26 attacks. Above that we also welcomed the 15-year sentence handed down by the Nquthu Regional Court to another rapist, Thabani Buthelezi.
No rapist should get away with rape lightly. These sentences sent out a clear message that the courts are not going to tolerate rapists and are taking rape seriously,” said IFP Women’s Brigade National Chairperson, Mrs Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa MPL.
“While it is true that rape is a consequence of disrespectful and inhuman attitude towards the female gender, rape is among the most sickening abuses of power. Those who rape, or violate others in any other ways, have a certain lack of empathy that forms the basis of humanity. They are criminals and monsters too less capable of being human.
The mark of a man is someone who exercises control over his actions, who acknowledges his feelings and considers the consequences of his actions. Real men don’t rape.
Rape is more than a sexual violation. It’s a betrayal of trust in yourself and those around you. It’s theft of your innocence, your belief that people are basically good,” concluded Mrs Madlopha-Mthethwa.
Issued by:
IFP KZN Spokesperson on Education
Mrs Thembeni KaMadlopha-Mthethwa MPL
071 884 3844 / 079 114 3015