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Sonke cautiously welcomes the conviction and eight-year sentence of traditional healer Lulama Elvis Ray Mpahla by the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court but expresses concern over the deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence and calls on the National Prosecuting Authority to appeal for a relook of the judgement.
“We are concerned about the convicted rapist receiving bail pending appeal four days after sentencing. While bail pending appeal is a constitutional right, it is not an automatic right, and it should be weighed against the interests of justice. Gender-Based Violence, including rape, is a major challenge in South Africa, evidenced by alarming statistics. Granting a rape convict bail a few days after sentencing does not send a strong message to other would-be offenders on the severity of rape as a crime,” said Mpiwa Mangwiro-Tsanga, Sonke’s Policy Development and Advocacy Manager.
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