ANC Women's League Welcomes Ruling in Ukuthwala Case
The ANC Womens' league welcomes the ruling, by Wynberg Regional Court Magistrate Daleen Greyvensteyn that was handed out in the case against Mvumeleni Jezile. Jezile was found guilty and sentenced to 22 years behind bars for kidnapping a 14-year-old girl in 2010 and forcefully marrying, raping and assaulting her (see Cape Argus report).
Speaking on behalf of the ANC Women's league, Minister Edna Molewa said, days of abducting innocent young girls and turning them into wives by force were over, she further said, the ANC fought for the rights of women and children to an extent that Cabinet approved a women empowerment and gender equality bill which is in the process of being made law. "Gone are the days when a woman had no say in the home and in society. Women are not objects to be used in violent ways, but are humans to be respected and loved," said Molewa.
It is not just physical abuse and rape that must be condemned in the strongest possible terms, it is also any act carried out against anybody's will and against the law as well as our constitution in this country.
We must condemn all acts of injustice that rears its ugly head from time to time. The successful conviction and sentencing of Jezile should serve as a lesson to all other men in our society today who refuse to acknowledge that women's rights are human rights. The perpetrators must never be allowed to think they have the right to continue as if they are the ones who created women. Women in this country have come a long way in fighting for dignity and respect and it should not be undone by some who feel they rule the world.
Ukuthwala is a practice that should never be allowed to continue in this day and age and under our hard fought democratic dispensation, where all people are equal, irrespective of gender. Young girls especially from poorer backgrounds have as a result of this practice being abused and dehumanised. In as much as the Women's league respects culture and traditions in our country, human rights should still supersede all abusive acts and practices.
"We hope that this successful conviction and sentencing of this case will encourage other young women who may have fallen victim to such crimes to report them to police with the confidence that the justice system will protect them from these predators. We would like to commend the investigators and the prosecutors for pursuing this matter and securing this conviction giving young women hope." Said ANCWL President Angie Motshekga.
The ANC women's league believes the removal of this hurdle by the judgment will send a strong message and deter those who were still to commit the same crimes in future.
Statement issued by ANC Women's League, February 15 2014
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