#NotInMyName has called on prosecutors to send out a strong message to perpetrators that killing women in South Africa will not be tolerated.

This follows the case in which Thuso Phora, a Kgosi Mampuru correctional officer accused of murdering his wife, was granted R5 000 bail.

Phora (32) allegedly killed his wife after she refused his sexual advances.

The accused appeared in the Mamelodi magistrate’s court on March 7.

This was after his arrest in January at the Tshwane district hospital, where he had been admitted after allegedly trying to commit suicide by taking poison.

Themba Masango from #NotInMyName said all perpetrators of GBV (especially femicides) should not be granted bail until the case has been viewed properly in a court of law.

According to Masango, women killed daily in South Africa are 5.1 times higher than anywhere else in the world.

“It is very important that the justice system sends out a strong message to perpetrators that killing women in South Africa will not be tolerated,” said Masango.

NPA regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said bail was set on the condition that Phora does not have contact with his minor child unless the family court did a thorough investigation.

Phora and his wife allegedly had an argument during which he hit her with an unknown object and then proceeded to strangle her with an extension cord before fleeing the scene.

According to Mahanjana, a family friend noticed what looked like a blood stain on the bed when the backroom door was slightly open. It is believed the friend reported their suspicion to the police.

During the bail application, the state asked the court not to release the accused on bail because he was likely to evade trial due to the seriousness of his offence.

Moreover, the accused was “likely” to attempt suicide again.

His release on bail might also incite public violence, the state argued.

“In his affidavit, Phora however told the court that he will not evade his trial,” said Mahanjana.

He asked to be released on bail, saying that he needed to take care of his four-year-old daughter, who was sick.

The magistrate said there was no evidence the accused would evade his trial or commit another crime while out on bail.

The matter is expected to return to court on May 5 to allow for more investigations to take place.

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