EFF notes the denial of bail for Sipho Mkatshwa in the Hillary Gardee case

3 August 2022

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) notes that the Nelspruit Magistrate Court denied Sipho Mkhatshwa bail. Mkhatshwa is one of the three accused in the kidnapping and murder of Hillary Gardee in April 2022.

While we are relieved that justice has provided a measly victory in the fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) we remain sober and disturbed by the fact that hundreds of men accused of rape and other GBVF crimes were granted bail for as little as R500 by the very same justice system today.

Our Constitution allows male GBVF perpetrators to pay a lousy R500 bail, further tripping women of their rights to human dignity and justice. Moreover, we are sober of the fact that the majority of male GBVF perpetrators will not end up in court let alone be called for questioning by the South African Police Service (SAPS).

We are sober to the fact that a dismally low percentage of male GBVF perpetrators are successfully prosecuted yet all women across South Africa are forced into survival mode daily because their bodies have been turned into war zones and their humanity grossly violated.

We are painstakingly aware of the fact that the governing party will continue to perpetuate and enable GBVF led by its President, Cyril Ramaphosa who refuses to respond to the charge of torturing a woman at his Phala Phala Farm.

The anti-African, anti-poor, pro-patriarchal ANC government is ignorantly and arrogantly reactionary as we witnessed today. The ANC, the governing party protested against the men who gang-raped 10 women at the Krugersdorp Magistrate Court. Where is the sense of a governing party protesting against itself!

Let all South Africans be sober when they enter the voting booth and remove this unrepentant pro-patriarchal and misogynistic government that's only achievement is its utter disdain for the people it is supposed to serve and protect.

Issued by Sinawo Thambo, National Spokesperson, EFF, 3 August 2022