A flawed system

Last week some shocking stories came out of our newsroom. We had a woman’s throat being slit in Sandton City, a shoot out on Witkoppen Road, and a robbery

involving a security company in Rosebank.

Residents and visitors to our beautiful city are constantly aware of the ever-looming danger and try to protect themselves at every opportunity. Women wind up their windows as they approach robots, hold onto their bags when crossing the street, and lock themselves in their houses.

Yes, crime is something we are all aware of – we know it is not going away anytime soon.

And, unfortunately, the justice system is flawed: sometimes our perceived sense of safety is simply that – perceived.

A recent case in Mapumalanga has shown just how flawed our so-called ‘justice’ system can be.

A convicted rapist, who was let out on parole, is back in court and being tried for another rape. Not only did our system find this man rehabilitated enough to re-enter society, they believed he was no longer a danger to women. Well, they were wrong, as this man has allegedly raped again. While I am a big believer in ‘innocent until proven guilty’ this man has a track record. Not only did the system release a potential rapist, they also gave him the opportunity to apply for bail – giving him yet another opportunity to violate someone.

While this, in itself, a cause for concern, what is more worrying is this man’s case now sets a precedent.

His victims, past and present, must be furious.

While I know I am jumping the gun and a court might find him not guilty, the chances that this man will harm again are high. How could a judge potentially let a rapist back into society?

With this precedent, South Africa just got a little more dangerous.