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Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Susan Shabangu, has welcomed as significant rulings made by the courts on Monday, 23 March, on two separate cases – one for ukuthwala and another involving former tennis coach Bob Hewitt.

In the ukuthwala case, the full bench of the appeal court in the Western Cape High Court rejected the appeal by Mvumeleni Jezile (33) who was last year sentenced to 22 years imprisonment at the Wynberg Regional Court after he was convicted of three counts of rape, one count of human trafficking and one count of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. This after in 2009 he forcefully married a 14-year-old girl from the Eastern Cape who was in Grade 7.

Meanwhile, the Palm Ridge High Court found former tennis coach, Bob Hewitt guilty of raping and sexually assaulting girls that he was coaching in South Africa 30 years ago. Sentencing will take place on 17 April in the Pretoria High Court.

“Both decisions of the courts, which are made during a month when we are re-emphasising the fact that women’s rights are human rights, are significant in that on the one hand they send a message that cultural practices can no longer be used to violate the rights of women and children and thus perpetuate inequalities in our society. On the other this serves as a deterrent to other perpetrators that the arm of the law is not short and time will not erase the crime committed, and that they will ultimately face the might of the law,” states Shabangu.

Minister Shabangu says government is pleased that justice has finally been served and South Africa’s justice system and law enforcement agencies have, through hard work and dedication, proven that government will not tolerate abuse and violence against women and children in the country.

“Government would continue in its endeavors to ensure that the democratic rights of women and children are protected. South Africans can and must do more to stop rape, human trafficking and all forms of abuse. Together, with government, we must transform existing gender relations in our families and communities,” points Shabangu.

Victims of violence and abuse including harmful cultural practices are encouraged to make use of the Department of Social Development’s 24-hour call centre, which is dedicated to providing support and counseling to victims of gender-based violence.

Issued by Department of Communications on behalf of the Department of Women