Limpopo community demand no bail for murder accused
The family of the deceased, Portia Ramakavhi (31) says they are disappointed by the way the state handled the bail application
LIMPOPO – The family of Portia Ramakavhi (31) from Ha-Mutsha who was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend in December at Tshino in Vuwani area are still in the dark about the release of the suspect on bail.
The 45-year-old suspect was released on R10 000 bail last Wednesday in the Vuwani Magistrate’s Court. The suspect allegedly accused Ramakavhi of cheating. A heated argument started at the accused’s home which led to the murder. A group of angry residents pursued the suspect and assaulted him once caught, with the police showing up in time to ensure his safety.
Representing the Ramakavhi family, Owen Mulovhedzi said: “We are disappointed by the way the state handled the bail application. How can the court grant bail to that man facing such serious charges while our child is lying in a graveyard. Nobody is safe now because the law is failing every community member. We thought the law would issue a strong warning to the public by not giving bail to the suspect, but now we are powerless. Everyone is now a potential victim of murder because the law is very soft on killers.”
Mulovhedzi said they would have mobilised the community had they known, and gone to court to urge the court not to give him bail. “R10 000 is nothing compared to the damage and pain he caused us as a family. How are we going to look at him when we meet him in the street. I suspect something did not go right here, the family needs an explanation,” he said.
Rinae Sengani of Riri Sengani Foundation to fight against the abuse of the woman and children, said: “The court has failed us because we never thought that a man charged with such a serious offence could be granted bail. We have been demonstrating outside the court for many days, and have handed over memorandums, but our pleas are not heard. This is the time to start our own defence units and task teams because the state is failing us. How many more women must die of murder before the state does something. The law has totally failed us and the granting of bail to the suspect sends a poor message to the public.”
