MINISTER MTHETHWA CONGRATULATES POLICE IN ANENE BOOYSEN CASE SENTENCING

PRETORIA - 01 November 2013.  The Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa congratulated the police for the good investigative work, which resulted in Johannes Kana being sentenced to two life sentences for the rape and murder of Anene Booysen.

"We welcome the two life sentences handed to Kana and believe this conviction will serve as a deterrent to any would-be rapists and murderers.  The sentencing was as a result of an integrated approach by the different units within the criminal justice system.  We want to in particular single out the good investigative work done by the South African Police Service's Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences detection unit," stated the Minister.

On Tuesday, Judge Patricia Goliath found Kana guilty of raping and murdering Booysen.  Booysen was raped and disembowelled, and died in Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, on the afternoon of February 2.  Kana was seen with Booysen outside a Bredasdorp pub in the early hours of that day.

The Minister added that the conviction in this case is a clear indication that with a strong police-community partnership.  "These types of crimes are indicative of the types of social challenges facing our youth, particularly because both the perpetrator and the victim are young people who should have been focusing on their future development.  The violent nature of such crimes is symptomatic of the  moral decay facing us as a nation and in most instances, it is the women, children and elderly who bear the brunt of such vicious crimes.  We therefore have a collective responsibility as parents, as guardians and society at large to ensure that vulnerable groups are protected," added Minister Mthethwa.

"What this case further highlighted was a point we have been making that almost 72 percent of sexual offences happen amongst acquaintances, which becomes difficult for police to police such crimes, hence our call around strengthening the partnership between police and communities.  From our side as government we reiterate that those who commit such inhumane crimes will be detected, prosecuted and sentenced to lengthy terms of imprisonments," added the Minister.

Statement issued by Zweli Mnisi, Spokesperson to the Minister of Police, November 1 2013

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