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The small town of Kannaland, Western Cape, is making headlines post the elections for the wrong reasons. This was after their re-elected mayor was ousted for being a convicted rapist.
South Africa is the country the world refers to when speaking about rape due to our infamous rape statistics. It is a stain, an embarrassment that each South African carries with them. This disgusting reality coursing through our country has left millions of lives ruined due to barbaric behaviour. But, as a country, do we now consider these crimes acceptable, especially for leadership roles?
On Tuesday, November 16, 2021, the council elected ICOSA leader Jeffrey Donson as mayor. Donson was convicted of statutory rape and indecent assault in 2008 while mayor of Kannaland. You read that correctly.
Donson raped a 15-year-old girl in 2004 and was initially sentenced to five years in prison. He did, however, file an appeal with the Western Cape High Court.
Despite his appeal being denied, his sentence was reduced to a fully suspended term of imprisonment, correctional supervision, an R20,000 fine, and a sex offender rehabilitation programme.
He was re-elected to the council the same year and is now the municipality’s mayor for the second time.
According to the Crime Statistics for the First Quarter of 2021, sexual offences totalled 12 702 cases from April to June 2021. When we break this figure down, we see that the following crimes fall under the category of sexual offences:
- Rape – 10 006 cases.
- Sexual assault – 1900 cases.
- Attempted sexual offences – 514 cases.
- Contact sexual offences – 282 cases.
Looking at the staggering number of cases that have occurred in recent months, are we as a society now allowing convicted child rapists to lead a municipality? Imagine what the world is saying now.
What are your thoughts on the matter? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Image credit: thesouthafrican.com
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