Gender-Based Violence Perpetrator Sentenced To 20 Years
A gender-based violence perpetrator, Linda Makhanya, was sentenced to an effective 20 years imprisonment, by the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court on 15 July 2022, for violence perpetrated against his ex-girlfriend, Sonto Radebe. He was convicted on four counts (rape, theft and two attempted murders). Makhanya and the complainant were in a relationship, that ended in June 2017. The charges stemmed from two incidents that happened on 17 September and 23 October 2017, wherein Makhanya accosted her, whilst trying to unlock the door of her rented room in Dobsonville.
During the first incident, he strangled, raped and took her cell phone. He came back again in October 2017, and this time stabbed her several times on the body, upper arm and right eye, resulting in her losing the eye permanently. He then fled the scene but was later arrested with the assistance of Warrant Officer Sintwa, from the Family violence, child protection and sexual offences (FCS) unit, of the South African Police Service.
Court Preparation Officer, Grace Leketi worked closely with the complainant, to prepare her for the journey toward letting her voice be heard. Regional Court Prosecutor, Lebo Sibi, argued that the accused has a propensity for violence toward women, as he has a previous conviction of murdering his girlfriend in 2009. In that case, he was sentenced to 15 years in 2010. That sentence was reduced to 10 years imprisonment after his appeal against the sentence was successful.
She further added that, the previous time spent in custody and the sentence imposed, did not deter the accused from committing similar offences and therefore the court should consider him as someone that could not be rehabilitated. Magistrate Anneline Africa remarked that the accused has shown no remorse, and continues to undermine the rights of women to live free from fear and harm. She further said that the crime of gender-based violence is very prevalent in the court's area of jurisdiction.
The NPA welcomes the sentence.
Issued by:
Phindi Mjonondwane
NPA Regional Spokesperson-Gauteng Local Division
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