Angry women from Gogobole village in the Sinthumule area threatened to take action against an alleged rapist if the court grants him bail.
Singing slogans denouncing men who rape as “beasts who must rot in jail,” the women marched and toyi-toyied outside the Tshilwavhusiku Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 10 March, with their hands raised in the air. They carried placards reading “No bail for rapists” and “Love them, don’t rape them.”
The protest coincided with the court appearance of Fhatuwani Mametja, also known as Vhavesa, who faces charges of rape and robbery. He was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on 29 May.
According to police, Mametja was arrested following an incident in Gogobole village on Sunday, 1 March. The victim, asleep in her house with her five-year-old child, was allegedly confronted by the suspect, who broke in during the night. She reportedly heard a noise in the kitchen but initially ignored it, believing the house was secure.
The suspect allegedly held a panga to the victim, raped her and robbed her of cash and her cellphone. He reportedly forced her to unlock the door before fleeing. The victim later identified him by his nickname, as he is known to live in the same village.
The leader of the protesting women, Mainganya Neluvhola, said they were in court as concerned community members.
“We are very disturbed that a woman was raped by a man known to her. We are here as angry women to support the victim and her family,” she said, adding that the protest aimed to express their anger to the court.
“If the court grants Mametja bail, we will not be responsible for what might happen to him. We are tired of being used as sex toys,” Neluvhola said.
She said the women were also concerned about the rising number of crimes against women and children. “We went there to make a statement that all rapists belong in prison, but we also respect the law,” she added.