Today Action Society once again rejoiced in victory in the courts as the man who raped his niece was sentenced to 15 years direct imprisonment. The (then) 12-year-old girl was raped by her uncle on 6 July 2019, and it proved to be one of Action Society’s most frustrating and drawn-out cases. Now, five years later we finally have justice.
Many unnecessary problems plagued this case from the beginning, causing the case to be postponed more than 21 times since it was first heard in April of 2022. At first technical equipment at the Mitchell’s Plain sexual offences court was faulty, causing numerous postponements. Once the court was able to get their systems to work again, the battle to get a French interpreter began, an issue which would plague the case for more than a year and meant the closing arguments could only be made in June of 2024.
“These five years must have felt like absolute torture for Violet and her family and although we are pleased with the outcome, it is bitter sweet due to the many frustrating an unnecessary postponements. We hope Violet and her family can now begin their healing journey, knowing that the man who tried to rob her of her dignity is going away for a long time,” said Action Society’s Kaylynn Palm.
