JOHANNESBURG – A gender-based violence activist has slammed “disgusting” behaviour and “political campaigning” displayed by political parties ahead of the court appearance of a Dobsonville man arrested for rape.
Police had to quickly intervene after tensions ran high outside the Roodeport magistrate’s court, as some members of political parties who staged a picket outside the court clashed.
Angry residents gathered outside the court where a 58-year-old man from Dobsonville was expected to appear.
He was arrested for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl. The case has been postponed to 22 April for further investigation.
“The most disgusting thing that we have seen today is how this has turned into a political campaign. We are not all here for the same purpose. This has all turned into an absolutely disgusting political spectrum, and we cannot have it,” said activist Botlhale Modisane.
“These political parties might as well stay the hell away from all of us,” a visibly angry Modisane added.
She said gender-based violence perpetrators continued to get away with only a “slap on the wrist”, saying government was only reactive.
“Every time there is a huge case in the media, our president goes on a podium and constantly declares this is a disaster but nothing else happens. Perpetrators continue to do what they are doing because they know they get away with a slap on the wrist. Somebody like this should be medically castrated.”
Modisane said the girl's family was distraught.
“The parents are going through a lot. A few days ago, the mom said she was so emotionally distressed that she was having suicidal thoughts. She feels a huge amount of guilt that she might not have done enough to protect her child.
“There is no excuse for what this animal has done. It is inhumane," she added.