6 February 2007
The National Youth Commission (NYC) has learned with great shock of the rape
and brutal slaying of a 14 year-old learner from Soweto, Thato Radebe.
The barbaric nature of Thato's death warrants that our security agents and
members of our community move with great speed to bring to book the
perpetrators of this heinous crime. Our youth cannot live in fear in our free
country.
Meanwhile, the NYC commends the swift nature in which our criminal justice
system moved in the investigation, arrest and conviction of the murderer of the
Anglo-Zulu war historian, David Rattray. Our men and women in blue have
performed a sterling job once again.
The immediate arrest, conviction and sentencing of the murderers of Thato
would undoubtedly contribute in dispelling the myth that the life of a white
person is more valuable than that of a black person. The manner in which our
police respond to these cases should contribute in advancing the
nation-building cause where all have a right to life, are equal before the law,
and we truly live to the adage that says "one death too many".
The manner in which our security agents unleash their investigative
machinery should really not leave debates reminiscent to that which emerged
after the arrest, conviction and sentencing of the murderer of Leigh Matthews
and the still unresolved case of Constable Francis Rasuge.
Lastly, the NYC reiterates its disappointment with the leave to appeal
granted to the Waterkloof Four. Our concern is the fact that the four youth,
Christoff Becker, Gert van Schalkwyk, Frikkie du Preez and Reinach Tied, were
found guilty by a court of law for the brutal murder of a homeless person but
they are still roaming among the innocent and unsuspecting in our community.
Since they have not undergone any rehabilitation programme yet, the NYC
believes they still pose a serious danger and threat to many of our people. The
law must take its course, however, and ultimately justice must be done.
Enquires:
Monde Mkalipi
Tel: (012) 309 7800
Fax: (012) 324 4759
Cell: 082 575 3976
Issued by: National Youth Commission
6 February 2007
