LENGTHY SENTENCE FOR GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE PERPETRATOR

The National Prosecuting Agency (NPA) welcomed the sentencing of Linda Makhanya gender-based violence perpetrator, to an effective 20 years imprisonment, by the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court on Friday,15 July 2022, for violence perpetrated against his ex-girlfriend, Sonto Radebe. He was convicted on four counts. The charges stems from two incidents that happened on 17 September and 23 October 2017.

Gauteng NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane says Makhanya and the complainant were in a relationship, that ended in June 2017. The first incident occurred where Makhanya confronted her, whilst trying to unlock the door of her rented room in Dobsonville, he then strangled, raped and took her cell phone. He came back again in October 2017, and this time stabbed her several times on the body, resulting in her losing the eye permanently. He then fled the scene but was later arrested with the assistance of Warrant Officer Sintwa, from the FCS unit, of the SAPS.

Regional Court Prosecutor, Lebo Sibi, argued that the accused has a propensity for violence toward women, as he has a previous conviction of murdering his girlfriend in 2009. In that case, he was sentenced to 15 years in 2010. That sentence was reduced to 10 years imprisonment after his appeal against the sentence was successful.

Magistrate Anneline Africa remarked that the accused has shown no remorse, and continues to undermine the rights of women to live free from fear and harm and the crime of gender-based violence is very prevalent in the court’s area of jurisdiction.