The IFP Women’s Brigade (IFPWB) welcomes the 20-year-sentence handed down by Judge Hambokazi Thwele in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court, in the Viwe Dalingozi case. In 2018, Dalingozi was doused with petrol while asleep and set on fire by her then-boyfriend, at their flat in Johannesburg.
We are relieved that justice has finally prevailed on this case. We trust that it will provide the much-needed closure for Viwe’s immediate family and friends, as well as other young women who suffer in silence at the hands of cruel men who show a clear disregard for government’s attempts to clamp down on Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The IFPWB believes that the Court could have handed down a life sentence without parole, as the accused is a cold-blooded killer, who showed no remorse for his cruel actions. However, we hope that this will still send a clear message to criminals, abusers and killers that such acts will be met with the full force of the law.
This case is one of the most inhumane crimes. Sadly, such crimes are committed on a daily basis, as statistics indicate that in South Africa, a woman is killed every three hours by a person she knows, and trusts. The very minimum punishment that society could accept is to see these criminals being served with life sentences.
The IFPWB will continue to pressure law enforcement and the Justice Department to play their critical roles in our society, until every woman and child feels safe and protected against criminals and abusers.
In conclusion, we commend Magistrate Hambokazi Thwele for her courage in showing no mercy towards Mpho Thobane. However, we call for much harsher sentences, which would hopefully act as a strong deterrent for abusers and murderers. We therefore urge other courts to follow suit when dealing with GBV cases by ensuring that the killers of women are punished severely, without mercy. We further urge the Department of Correctional Services, as well as the Parole Board, to ensure that Mpho Thobane is not granted parole. In so doing, they will be sending a clear message that people cannot commit murder and expect to get away with just a slap on the wrist.
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Contact:
IFP Women’s Brigade National Chairperson
Hon. Phumzile Buthelezi MPL
073 216 0918
