The family of Uyinene Mrwetyana has been left devastated following the recent court appearance of her killer, Luyanda Botha, on a previous attempted rape charge, reports Cape {town} Etc.
Botha, a former postal worker is currently serving a life sentence for the rape and murder of the University of Cape Town student at a post office branch in Claremont on 24 August 2019.
Also read: Video: Post office covered in tributes for Uyinene Mrwetyana
Botha recently appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court to face an attempted rape charge dating back to 2014.
The victim, a 21-year-old nursing student at a college in Athlone, accused Botha of attempting to rape her after he walked in on her bathing when visiting her at the college.
Although Botha was initially arrested, the case was struck off the court roll. It has since been reinstated.
During the proceedings, Botha ‘fought tooth and nail’ against the state’s case, even taking the witness stand to argue for its dismissal.
The court rejected his application and the case will proceed, with Magistrate Anthea Ramos stating that she was not convinced that there was no evidence linking him to the attempted rape of the nursing student.
Final heads of arguments and submissions will be made on Wednesday, 28 August.
Meanwhile, Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation (UFM) spokesperson Thobeka Msengana told TimesLive last week that the spotlight in the court case had shone on Botha and distressed the family.
‘It is devastating for the family to witness another GBV [gender-based violence] incident committed by the same man who brutally killed their beloved daughter,’ said Msengana.
Msengana also emphasised that Uyinene’s legacy continues to be honoured through the annual Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation Anti-GBVF Walk that takes place in East London and Cape Town as a prevention strategy to combat this pervasive crime.
This month marks the five-year anniversary of Uyinene’s passing. The third annual walk is set to take place on the streets of Cape Town on Saturday, 24 August and East London on Saturday, 31 August.
‘Her legacy lives on through the foundation’s work with youth development programmes,’ said Msengana. She said victims ‘should never feel guilty or ashamed of speaking up.’
‘They should know there is support from organisations such as UMF that will stand in solidarity [with them] and support survivors and their families. GBV is not something to be faced alone – it requires a collective effort and support,’ said Msengana.
‘Organisations and communities need to commit [themselves] to creating a safe and secure community for women, young people and children. We need the government and legal authorities to start protecting survivors, not perpetrators. We need harsher sentences for perpetrators and an effective justice system.’
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