Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana hails the harshest sentence given in the first Ukuthwala case in the Western Cape
Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana says she believes that the sentence handed down in the first ukuthwala case in the Western Cape and the harshest sentence handed down to an accused person in the country who has used ukuthwala as his defence is a step in the right direction in fighting harmful practices.
Mvuleni Jezile (32) was yesterday (Thursday, 13 February) sentenced to 22 years direct imprisonment at the Wynberg Regional Court today after he was convicted of three counts of rape, one count of human trafficking and one count of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. This after he forcefully married a 14 year old girl from Gqaba Location in Mbabakazi Section, Ngcobo, in the Eastern Cape.
The highest sentence handed in South Africa before this case was seven years handed down to an accused person at the Lusikisiki Regional Court in 2011. The accused was charged with human trafficking. The incident happened in Flagstaff, Pondoland.
“The historic sentencing demonstrates that this government is serious about protecting its children and fighting harmful practices such as ukuthwala and human trafficking. The family members who were involved in arranging the marriage between the 32-year-old man and the 14-year-old girl should also face the law,” said Minister Xingwana not mincing her words.
The marriage of minor-aged girls (i.e., less than 18 years) is a gender-based health and human rights violation affecting women and girls globally. According to UNICEF above 60 million women and girls worldwide are affected by the practice of girl child marriage.
“The ukuthwala practice has a detrimental effect on the growth and development of the girl child who is denied an opportunity to enjoy their childhood and grow into a mature woman. Also it denies them access to education which in turn perpetuates inequalities in our society resulting in economic control and violence against women,” points out Xingwna.
For more information:
Motalatale Modiba, Media Liaison Officer
Cell: 072 515 3022
Tel: 012 359 0023
E-mail: motalatale.modiba@dwcpd.gov.za
