The sentencing of convicted rapist Nicolas Ninow to life imprisonment and an additional five years should send a clear message to potential rapists and perpetrators of gender-based violence that anyone who commits such abhorrent acts deserves to rot in jail. The ANC Gauteng Province welcomes the sentencing.

Through this judgement the criminal justice system has given a beacon of hope to many victims of sexual abuse and to society for continuously calling for the harshest possible sentences to be meted out in such cases.

Gender-based violence has not only reached a crisis level but it threatens to erode the very social fibre of our society. Anyone who commits such acts does not deserve to be part of any society and the law must ensure that they are permanently removed from our communities.

We further welcome the fact the judge ordered that Ninow's name be added to the national register for sex offenders.

The ANC Gauteng Province salutes the young survivor and her family for standing resolute and strong in their pursuit for justice even under extremely difficult circumstances.

We once again call on society to continue fighting against gender-based violence wherever it may take place until we rid our communities of this evil.

END//

Issued by the ANC Gauteng Province

For more information:
Bones Modise
Head of Communication / PEC Spokesperson
ANC Gauteng Province
082 545 5553

Or 

Motalatale Modiba
Media Liaison Officer 
ANC Gauteng Province 
072 515 3022