'Those who abuse women have no place in our society'

The guilty verdict given to sugar-cane serial killer Thozamile Taki, although long overdue, proves that those who abuse women have no place in society, the African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal said on Thursday.

“The ANC believes the judgement handed down by Judge King Ndlovu against Mr Taki will serve as a deterrent to women abusers,” ANC provincial secretary Sihle Zikalala said.

“The judgement will also send a clear message that those abusing women’s rights will soon have no place to hide ... that those who are abusing women have no place in our society.”

‘Long overdue’
He said the case was in the public domain for too long and that judgement was “long overdue”.

“The incidents of brutal killing are still fresh in the minds of many who reside on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal,” Zikalala said,

Taki was found guilty on all 26 charges relating to the murder of 13 women, whose bodies were found in the sugar-cane plantations in Umzinto and Port St Johns in 2007.

Taki’s co-accused, Hlengiwe Nene, was found not guilty and asked to step down from the dock.

During his trial, Taki was one of eight prisoners who tried to escape from Westville prison in March.

He fell through a fourth-floor ceiling during the escape bid and had to be hospitalised.—Sapa