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Woensdag 14 Desember 2011
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KERSLIEFDE VIR BETER WORD Die Tygerbergkinderhospitaal het Vry dag 9 Desember vir 400 pasiëntjies sy jaarlikse Kerspartytjie met ’n groot fanfa re gehou. Die pret het eindelose ver maak soos ’n kulkunstenaar en optre de deur die geliefde karakters van Takalani Sesame ingesluit. Kin ders se gesigte is geverf en daar was ’n oordaad eet en drink goed. Uiteraard het die lekker presente nie agtergebly nie. Hier is Tashwill Toontjies (Delft), Jayden Cupido (Kuilsrivier) en Cameron Campbell (Bishop Lavis) by een van die Sesamestraat karakters. Foto: Carina Roux
) Parents of rape victims fuming
Plea bargain anger DESIREÉ RORKE
While the State might be negotiating a plea bargain with the man who stands accused of rape and sexual assault of five minor girls, the parents of the victims are fuming at the prospect that a guilty plea might land him a lesser sentence. The man who was arrested at his home in Brackenfell on 15 May, appeared in the Blue Downs Regional Court last Wednesday, and will appear again today. He was charged on 10 counts of
sexual assault and rape under its new definition. Two of the girls were his own daughters, aged 10 and 12 at the time, another three were friends of his daughters all aged 12 and another a 16-year old babysitter. TygerBurger has it on good authority that the accused is considering to plead guilty, depending on the jail sentence the State offers in return. A reliable source informed the newspaper that an eight-year jail term has been discussed, but this could not be confirmed. “Should he plead guilty, the victims would not have to relive their
trauma in a court of law, but it would strengthen his chance to get a lesser sentence,” CEO of Rape Wise SA, John Buswell told TygerBurger this week. Buswell is one of the founder members of Rape Wise South Africa, an organisation made up of legal and healthcare professionals, dedicated to helping the youth. Over 35 000 educators, doctors, trauma sisters and psychologists, are trained annually by Rape Wise. Buswell also expressed his shock at the fact that a possible eight-year jail sentence has been discussed, saying that such a perpetrator
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Guilty as charged CHILTON MELLEM
“Justice at last!” That was the feeling of many of the family, friends and supporters of the children killed at the Buttskop level crossing last year, as Jacob Humphreys, the taxi driver who was behind the wheel, was found guilty on Monday. Judge Robert Henney found him guilty on all the charges – ten of murder and four of attempted murder. After the verdict was announced, Humphreys was taken into custody and bail was denied. Humphreys angered the community in Blackheath and surrounding areas on 25 August last year when he drove his taxi filled with children on their way to school through the level crossing while the booms were down. Defence lawyer Johann Engelbrecht tried to justify his actions by telling the court his client suffered from retrograde amnesia. He claimed that Humphreys could not remember what had happened from when he stopped at the Buttskop level crossing, until the time he woke up in hospital. Cries of euphoria were heard from family members and supporters of the victims when the judge gave his verdict. Provincial transport minister Robin Carlisle hailed the verdict as a “victory for justice and for road safety for the entire country”. Humphreys faces sentencing on 20 February next year.
might be out on good behaviour in as few as four or five years. According to Buswell the minimum sentence for child rape is 25 years, and the minimum sentence for rape is 15 years with a possibility of parole – in child rape the child must be under the age of 12. According to Buswell many factors are considered however when a plea is negotiated. “Factors such as the strength of the evidence and the fact of whether he is a first offender or not, are weighed up preparations for the summer season • a million visitors • traffic services • metro police • shark against factors such as the girls blue beflag beaches • fire and rescue services • refuse removal • major roadworks update • energ energy-efficient festive lights • green point stadium update • dam levels • electricity usage ing traumatised in court. reporting traffic light faults • free vehicle safety checks • cleanest drinking water • city health Don’t miss your copy of jobs CityNews in this newspaper next week. combating fraud & corruption • no more for buddies • scottsdene innovation gap housin . To page 2 low-cost solarIt’s water heaterwith installations • upgrades to councilfor housing • tips for safe this packed news and information residents andstaying visitors.
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understanding electricity tariffs • visit the city’s nature reserves • useful contact numbers & a