TSHIMBUPFE – Residents of Tshimbupfe Ha-Mutheiwana, in partnership with representatives from the Makhado Municipal Women’s Forum and the Mayoral Children’s Desk, marched to the offices of the Vuwani Magistrate’s Court to hand over a memorandum to oppose the bail application of Thomas Shirinda (35) who allegedly raped a 7-year-old girl at Ha-Mutheiwana a fortnight ago.

Led by their headman, TJ Mutheiwana Netshimbupfe, Mayor RS Nkuzana of the Makhado Municipality, Civic Association and the Youth Committee, villagers peacefully marched while singing and carrying placards.

The chairperson of the Youth Committee, Nthambeleni Matsheka handed over a memorandum to the Vuwani Chief Magistrate, Mr TH Magoro. In the memorandum, residents indicated that, since they did not take the law into their hands while apprehending and handing over the accused to the police, it was their intention to declare their area as a crime-free community by working hand in hand with the law enforcement agencies. “We respect the rights of the accused or the alleged rapist as enshrined in the constitution that he is innocent until proven guilty by a competent court of law. However, we vehemently condemn the criminal conduct by the accused of sexual abuse toward our children, women and other vulnerable individuals. We demand that the accused should not be granted bail, we demand regular report back from the SAPS about the case so that justice can be done, and protection of witnesses. As justice delayed is justice denied, we demand a speedy trial, that the previous rape records of the accused should be taken into consideration during all judicial processes, including the bail application. We request crime awareness campaign within our schools be intensified,” read part of the memorandum.

Representing the Makhado Women’s Forum, Cllr Mavhungu Luruli said that they formed part of the march in order to voice the pain and anger suffered by women and children during sexual abuse ordeals. She said that her Forum joined the march to say that enough is enough about the victimisation of girl children within the Municipal area of Makhado. “As women, we condemn the victimisation of innocent children,” she said.

The Mayor of the Makhado Municipality, Cllr RS Nkuzana, told Mirror that he joined the pioneers and organisers of the peaceful march to raise his voice that the rapist should not be given bail. “We decided to march to showcase to the society that as the Municipality we ‘say no to women and children abuse’. We went there to make a statement that all rapists belong in prison and in hell, but we abide by the law which dictates that one remains innocent until proven otherwise by a court of law.” Nkuzana added that whosoever was linked to criminal activities like the rapist (Shirinda) should not be granted bail, and when sentencing him, if found guilty, he must be given a severe sentence, so that he can rot in prison.

During the presentation, the mayor also handed over a cheque of R1 000 that will be deposited in the trust fund of the traumatised girl.

The case against Shirinda was postponed to August 19. He was not granted bail.