ANCWL STATEMENT ON REDUCTION OF JOSPEH MPHANAMA'S LIFE SENTENCE

3 AUGUST 2014

The African National Congress Women's League is outraged by reports that the life sentence of a man who repeatedly raped an 11 year old girl has been reduced on appeal by the North Gauteng High Court. According to reports, the sentence was reduced because the court considered the 11 year old victim to be a "willing partner" in her rape (see report).

This ruling is a travesty and miscarriage of justice that the nation as a whole should strongly condemn. The 11 year old victim and all children of this country have been severely let down by the Court which was meant to protect them. It is a tragic farce that, within our laws, the Court can find it correct to come to a conclusion that one so young could be complicit in her rape and consent to her own victimisation.  Such a ruling is no different from the regressive statements that a woman, because of her dress or actions, invites rape to herself.

2014 marks the 60th Anniversary of the Women's Charter adopted in April 1954. As we celebrate Women's Month we are reminded of the Charter  which states that "The level of civilisation which any society has reached can be measured by the degree of freedom that its members enjoy. " Measured by the status this honourable court has afforded to the degree of freedom and security to be enjoyed by the 11 year old victim repeatedly raped by Molefe Joseph Mphanama, it is clear "South Africa remains very low on the scale of civilised nations".

The African National Congress Women's League calls upon the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services to appeal this ruling of the High Court and leave no stone unturned in ensuring that our justice system does not continue to fail the most vulnerable in society.

Statement issued by the African National Congress Women's League, August 3 2014

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