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COURT-BREDASDORP-REAX
JOHANNESBURG Oct 30 Sapa
SACP WELCOMES KANA CONVICTION
The conviction of Johannes Kana for the rape and murder of 17-year-old Anene Booysen should serve as a deterrent to criminals, the SA Communist Party in the Western Cape said on Wednesday.
“The rape and murder of Anene Booysen will go down in history as one of the most brutal and ruthless evils that the human species has ever suffered,” the party said in a statement.
Kana was convicted by the Swellendam Circuit Court on Tuesday.
During his trial, Kana admitted leaving a Bredasdorp pub with Booysen and hitting and raping her, but denied killing her in the early hours of Saturday, February 2. She was raped and disembowelled and died in Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, that afternoon.
Western Cape National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Eric Ntabazalila said on Wednesday the State would seek a double life sentence for Kana when sentencing resumed on Friday.
SABC news reported that arguments in mitigation of sentence began on Wednesday, but that proceedings were postponed to Friday.
The SACP said crimes such as Booysen's murder were an affront to the advances South Africa had made in the fight against patriarchy.
“We believe violence against the vulnerable, women and children is a reflection of the structure of capitalist exploitation which thrives on class, racial, and gender inequalities, among others,” the party said.
Kana's conviction boosted public confidence in the functioning of the country's police and judicial system.
The party encouraged the police, justice system, and citizens to act swiftly and decisively in combating crimes against women and children.
“As the SACP we are looking forward to maximum sentences against Kana and others who have committed similar crimes,” it said.
Sapa