South Africa court lifts ban on naming of murder suspect
London, Nov. 5, 2019 (AltAfrica)-A magistrate court in South Africa has lifted a ban on naming of a suspect accused of raping and killing 19-year-old Uyinene Mrwetyana.
The ban allegedly involved one Luyanda Botha, a former post office worker, accused of committing the crimes in August.
READ ALSO: WHEN TIM SEBASTIAN OF DEUTSCHE WELLE GOT PERSONAL WITH FORMER ETHIOPIAN PM HAILEMARIAM DESALEGN
He has not pleaded yet.
The victim, a student at the University of Cape Town, was bludgeoned to death with a metal pole at the Clareinch post office where she had gone to collect a parcel.
Mr Botha walked into the dock on Tuesday covered in a black hoodie and was met by a crowd that called on him to reveal his face.
The matter is expected to be moved to a higher court.
Ms Mrwetyana’s death caused outrage, prompted protests across the country and led to the social media campaign called #AmINext which drew attention to violence against women.
Subsequently, President Cyril Ramaphosa promised tougher action against sexual offenders as well and better service when reporting cases.
Women in South Africa have been wearing black and taking to the streets to draw attention to the country’s growing rates of sexual violence, murder and rape.
New crime data released last Thursday for South Africa shows sexual assault up 9.6% and rape up 3.6% over last year’s figures. BBC
[…] South Africa court lifts ban on naming of murder suspect […]