Expose rapists and killers for all to see

E-mail your letter to The Herald

THE rape and murder cases in South Africa have escalated so far above any normal being's imagination that it has become a norm in our society.

This scourge of abnormality is ripping our country apart and it has portrayed this beautiful landscape to the world as one of the most dangerous places in which to live. Thus we find people emigrating to other countries.

Our children and women alike are living in constant fear of abuse and constant harassment from someone invading their privacy without guilt or remorse. It is sad that we find the faces of victims being exposed throughout the media while the perpetrators hide their faces in courtrooms, running away from the public.

Our judicial system should deliberately expose perpetrators to public scrutiny in order for it to be difficult for them to enter our society.

The face of Anene Booysen in the Western Cape has been on public display ever since she was brutally murdered, while the alleged perpetrators sit in the courtroom hiding their faces.

The country should be made aware of such immoral acts and that the faces of perpetrators of gruesome crimes should not be hidden to the media in order that it is difficult for them to continue with their escapades.

A 20-year-old in the Eastern Cape has committed nine cases of rape and one of attempted murder, and he was given bail for allegedly raping a teenager. On what grounds should such a man receive sympathy from the state, while the victim has to endure pain and suffering, and continually lives in fear because her accused is out on bail?

It is time that our country put its priority in order and in favour of the victims, not the other way round. This all depends on our Justice Minister Jeff Radebe standing up for the victims in our society.