The charge was changed from attempted murder to murder after her death.
Gender Based Violence is a problem South Africa seems to be grappling with.
Despite the data and information available, authorities do not yet have a handle on how to deal with the violent crimes perpetrated on women and children on a daily basis.
This week, the Philipstown Regional Court in Northern Cape, sentenced a man for beating his girlfriend to death.
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The court heard that Philip Van Rooy (29) beat Rozean Wilson (35) to death in October 2023.
“On 5 October 2023, at about 19:00, the accused began to assault his girlfriend by beating her with his fists, also kicked her severely, and used a sjambok to beat her. The police were alerted, and Philip was arrested.
“Due to the severity of the assaults that resulted in the victim being hospitalized, Philip was charged with attempted murder of the victim and was released on bail. The victim was later transferred from the De Aar Hospital to the hospital in Kimberley due to the injuries she had sustained and, unfortunately, she passed on while in hospital. The charge was changed from attempted murder to that of murder.”
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Prosecuting state advocate Corrie Jonker argued that the court should be firm when sentencing the accused, to caution other killers and abusers of women.
“Femicide is prevalent, and a clear message needs to be ventilated to the communities, that the courts are serious about fighting the scourge of GBVF within the communities.”
Philip was then sentenced 20 years of direct imprisonment by the court. The court also declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm.
Drum Digital
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