On Friday, July 15 gender-based violence perpetrator, Linda Makhanya, was sentenced to an effective 20 years imprisonment by the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court for violence perpetrated against his ex-girlfriend, Sonto Radebe.
Makhanya was convicted on four counts – rape, theft and two of attempted murder. The court heard that he and the complainant were in a relationship that ended in June 2017.
The charges stemmed from two incidents. On September 17, 2017 Makhanya accosted Radebe while she was trying to unlock the door of her rented room in Dobsonville.
He strangled and raped Radebe, and took her cell phone. He returned on October 23, 2017, and this time he stabbed her several times in the body, upper arm and right eye, resulting in her losing the eye permanently.
He fled the scene but was later arrested with the assistance of Warrant Officer Sintwa from the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit of the SAPS.
Court preparation officer, Grace Leketi worked closely with the complainant to prepare her for the journey toward letting her voice be heard.
Regional Court Prosecutor, Lebo Sibi, argued that the accused had a propensity for violence toward women, as he had been convicted previously for murdering his girlfriend in 2009.
In 2010, Makhanya was sentenced to 15 years, which was reduced to 10 years imprisonment after his appeal against the sentence was successful.
Sibi added that the time spent in custody and the sentence imposed did not deter the accused from committing similar offences and therefore the court should consider him as someone who could not be rehabilitated.
Magistrate Anneline Africa remarked that the accused had shown no remorse, and continued to undermine the rights of women to live free from fear and harm.
She further said the crime of gender-based violence is very prevalent in the court’s area of jurisdiction.
