Slain lover: ANCYL urged to act
The ANCYL official who allegedly sjambokked his girlfriend to death has made a brief appearance in court.
|||Johannesburg - Patrick Wisani, the ANC Youth League official who allegedly sjambokked his girlfriend to death, made a brief appearance in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
Wisani, who is the league’s chairman for Inner City Joburg, was remanded in custody after the case was postponed to September 17, said police spokesman Sergeant Nduduzi Zondo.
The Star reported on Wednesday that Wisani allegedly hunted down his girlfriend when he didn’t find her at their home in Yeoville on Saturday night.
The attack happened after he had returned from the ANCYL’s national congress at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand.
When he finally found the woman, he assaulted her, it is alleged.
According to sources, the assault escalated once the couple arrived home.
It was then that Wisani is believed to have pulled out a sjambok and repeatedly assaulted the woman until she died.
Wisani is also a former member of a community police forum.
Meanwhile, gender rights organisation Sonke Gender Justice said it was outraged by the killing.
Sonke has urged the ANCYL to suspend Wisani while the law takes its course.
“We call for Wisani’s immediate suspension and for the ANCYL to co-operate fully with the police in ensuring a speedy trial,” said Sonke’s programme director, Desmond Lesejane.
He said the ANCYL should take a strong stance and show its commitment against the scourge of abuse.
“We are saying this is an opportune time for the youth league to say we do not tolerate violence against women.
Sonke has long held that public figures influence social norms and so shape our values and priorities.
“For this reason, Sonke has consistently held public figures accountable when they violate women’s rights or use, promote or condone violence.”
Lesejane urged the ANC to implement a “national strategic plan on gender-based violence to ensure justice for all survivors and accountability for all perpetrators”.
kgopi.mabotja@inl.co.za
The Star