Magistrate redefines common law on rape

An SABC News report says the Lydenberg Magistrates’ Court in Mpumalanga has made a ground-breaking judgment set to re-define SA common law on rape. Passing judgment after 44-year-old Faniel Masiya was found guilty of anal rape of a nine-year-old girl, Magistrate Andries Lamprecht said common law on s exual abuse cases was irrational and unconstitutional. According to common law, a person found guilty of anal rape can only be charged for indecent assault. Lamprecht forwarded the case to the High Court for sentencing. He hoped the judgment would put pressure on Parliament to pass the new Sexual Offences Bill, which lists forced anal penetration as rape.
Full SABC News report

 

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