There was commotion inside the Benoni Magistrate Court after someone from the gallery jumped onto the accused who is appearing facing charges of murder, kidnapping, rape and defeating the ends of justice.
Tensions were already high when the murder accused was brought in. Some people from the gallery could be heard saying “Satan” while referring to the accused who was taking his stand in the dock.
Anti gender based violence activists, political parties and the community of Wattville came out in their numbers to the Benoni Magistrates Court ahead of the first court appearance of a man accused of the murder of 4 year old Bokgabo Poo.
Bokgabo Poo went missing last week. Following a search, a leg of a child was found followed by a mutilated body a few metres away. Activists are arguing that the South African laws are not harsh enough against perpetrators of gender based violence. They said mostly they get 10 years, and after serving a few years, they qualify for parole and are released back to the community.
“Otherwise he will get 10 years in jail serve three and get out, this is South Africa where everything is a joke,” said an activist who argues that perhaps the country should consider a death penalty for the perpetrators.
Before an angry man believed to be the father of the killed child jumped on the accused, Ntokozo Zikhale was seen sitting in the dock to the prying angry eyes of those who want him put away for a long time. The accused is facing five counts. These counts include, alleged kidnapping, rape, murder, defeating the ends of justice and violation of a corpse.
Tensions are really high, and anti gender based violence activists feel the levels of crime in South Africa have reached unprecedented levels, and calls for action.