The Democratic Alliance has urged the Independent Democrats to sack ID Northern Cape MPL John Gunda, who was sentenced in the Upington Regional Court on Monday to 10 years’ imprisonment for rape.
”The ID must do the honourable thing and dismiss their Member of the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature John Gunda,” DA MP and women’s network chairperson Janet Semple said.
”South African women and children are every day faced with the threat of falling victim to rape or abuse,” she said.
The criminal justice system and its lack of resources have led to many feeling neglected and forgotten by the system.
At the very least, they deserve to have public representatives who do not make themselves guilty of these sorts of criminal actions.
”There is no space for Mr Gunda — a convicted rapist — in the Northern Cape legislature, or in fact in any legislature. [ID leader Patricia] De Lille must sack John Gunda immediately,” Semple said.
The ID said in a statement it has learned with regret the outcome of the case against Gunda.
”Mr Gunda will apply for leave to appeal against the sentence in the Cape Town High Court within 14 days.
”We believe that a fair trial includes the right to appeal. The ID will meet soon to discuss the way forward,” the statement read. — Sapa