In a significant week for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in South Africa, justice has been served against perpetrators of gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide, with several high-profile convictions across the country from 24 to 28 March 2025.Â
Notably, David Motlanyane Welskut, 28, was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Regional Court in the North West province for the gang rape of a 17-year-old. The crime took place in 2017, when Welskut brutally overpowered the victim and her friends, despite their desperate attempts to resist. The prosecution presented a compelling case against him, and State Prosecutor Advocate Edward Manicus was adamant that justice be served. ÂÂ
The court not only sentenced Welskut to life imprisonment but also deemed him unfit to possess a firearm and placed his name on the National Register for Sex Offenders. Dr Rachel Makhari, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, emphasised that such convictions act as a deterrent against future abuses.ÂÂ
In a separate case, Gideon Bezuidenhoudt, 38, received a 20-year sentence for raping his nine-year-old goddaughter during a sleepover. The heinous act occurred in June 2022 when he assaulted the victim while adults were in another room. Following the effective prosecution led by Regional Court Prosecutor Basil Kock, Bezuidenhoudt was convicted despite his attempts to deny the crime. ÂÂ
Another disturbing case resulted in Anthony Watson, 43, being sentenced to five life terms after committing multiple rapes over several years. His actions, which targeted vulnerable individuals under the influence of drugs, showcased a systematic approach to exploiting helpless victims. Advocate Jan-Louis York’s unwavering resolve secured justice as he argued for Watson’s incarceration to protect society from further harm, ultimately ensuring the serial rapist would never return to the streets.ÂÂ
The Gqeberha Regional Court delivered a strong message against gender-based violence by sentencing Luvo Vuma, 28, to life imprisonment for the emotional and physical damage inflicted on an 11-year-old girl. The court’s decisive actions reaffirmed society’s commitment to punishing those who abuse positions of trust.ÂÂ
Still in Gqeberha, Moses Gqesha, 45, was convicted on all 12 counts he was indicted on by the state. The charges include kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, and multiple counts of rape and theft. Notably, Gqesha has a history of criminal behaviour, with previous convictions dating back to 1993, including housebreaking, theft and possession of drugs.ÂÂ
The crimes were committed on 9 December 2010, at King’s Beach, Summerstrand, Gqeberha. The survivor, GBV activist and businesswoman, Andisiwe “Andy” Kawa, had gone to King’s Beach, where she parked her vehicle and decided to walk along the beach. She noticed Gqesha and found him suspicious but thought he had left. However, he suddenly appeared, chasing and catching her.Â
Gqesha robbed her of a diamond ring, bracelet, sunglasses, and cellphone. He lost his balance when struck by a wave, and she managed to break free by kicking him. Gqesha then assaulted her with his fists, and she hit him back, causing him to injure his finger.Â
Gqesha produced a knife and a broken beer bottle, threatening to kill her and dump her body in the water. He instructed her to accompany him, and out of fear, she complied. He then raped her multiple times throughout the night. The matter has been postponed to 24 and 25 April 2025 for sentencing proceedings.Â
These rulings come against a backdrop of shifting statistics on gender-based violence in the country. The latest crime statistics for the period from 1 October to 31 December 2024 revealed a 3.3% reduction in rape and 3.2% drop in attempted sexual offences nationwide. While this represents progress, regional disparities remain concerning, with rape cases increasing in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and the Free State, while other provinces recorded decreases.ÂÂ
Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu, in releasing the statistics in February, raised particular concerns about the increase in attempted murder cases against children aged 0 to 17 years. “This is an alarming development that calls for a concerted effort to protect the most vulnerable members of our society,” Mchunu stated in a recent press briefing. “While we’re making progress in some areas, these statistics serve as a stark reminder that gender-based violence remains a critical issue requiring intensified interventions.”ÂÂ
During the reported period, authorities recorded 11,803 rape cases and 2,188 sexual assault cases across the country, highlighting the scale of the challenge despite recent judicial successes.ÂÂ
“While progress has been made, we recognise that crime remains a major concern. Among our key challenges is the backlog of outstanding dockets. This issue has now been â€projectised’ and costed, and we are actively securing funding to expedite investigations and prosecutions,” the minister added at the time.Â
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