Life sentences would have been more appropriate, he said.
“I would have been happier had they received about 25 years or life. That would have been appropriate and we would have welcomed that. The victim has been left traumatised for life. It's a life sentence for her,” he said.
Total Shutdown Movement co-ordinator Siyamthanda Ndlela agreed the sentences could have been harsher.
“We ask for the justice system to give rapists stricter sentences, not just 18 years, but life sentences because in a rape case, the victim is damaged forever.
“That rape has removed a certain part of that woman, a certain part of her has died. She might still be alive, but there is a part of her that died. Her dignity has been removed. Still, we do welcome these sentences.”
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Sentences on 4 rapists ‘could have been harsher’
Image: FILE
Four men who gang-raped a young Butterworth woman in 2015 have been sentenced to prison terms of between 15 and 18 years.
The 25-year-old was raped while walking home from a tavern in September that year.
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Abongile Mlungwana Nophongotha, 30, and Manzolwandle Makhabane, 35, received 15-year sentences while Sive Gaca and Yanga Sasa, both 29, will serve 18 years in jail.
Police spokesperson captain Khaya Tonjeni said the four men took turns raping the woman. They later let her go.
Provincial police commissioner, Lt-Gen Liziwe Ntshinga welcomed the sentences, which she hoped would serve as a deterrent to would-be rapists.
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The sentences were handed down on Friday.
However gender-based violence (GBV) activists believed the sentences were too lenient.
Reverend Xolamzi Sam, convener of the Eastern Cape Men's Movement, said: “The president as of June this year announced GBV had become the second pandemic in the country. The justice system needs to re-look at the sentences, particularly minimum sentences.
“The country needs to look at issues of GBV and rape in line with the pandemic rules that sentences must be raised a little bit higher. We encourage tougher sentences.”
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Life sentences would have been more appropriate, he said.
“I would have been happier had they received about 25 years or life. That would have been appropriate and we would have welcomed that. The victim has been left traumatised for life. It's a life sentence for her,” he said.
Total Shutdown Movement co-ordinator Siyamthanda Ndlela agreed the sentences could have been harsher.
“We ask for the justice system to give rapists stricter sentences, not just 18 years, but life sentences because in a rape case, the victim is damaged forever.
“That rape has removed a certain part of that woman, a certain part of her has died. She might still be alive, but there is a part of her that died. Her dignity has been removed. Still, we do welcome these sentences.”
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