‘Rape cases need swift justice’

“IF all cases were treated with some amount of urgency and seriousness, we would be moving towards the direction of decreasing the scourge of violence against women and children.”

These were the words of child rights advocacy group, Ilitha Labantu, in response to the two life sentences and an additional 15 years handed down to convicted rapist and murderer, Howard Oliver, by the Western Cape High Court.

Ilitha Labantu spokesperson Siyabulela Monakali said they welcomed the sentence but would like similar cases to be treated with the same amount of urgency.

“The judiciary needs to find better mechanisms to bring perpetrators to book,” said Monakali.

Oliver was convicted over a week ago for the murder of 16-year-old Franziska Blochliger, who was found dead in-Tokai Forest last year.

High court Judge Kate Savage found the 28-year-old guilty on two counts of rape, robbery and murder.

She handed Oliver a life sentence for murder, a life sentence for two counts of rape and 15 years for robbery.

Oliver will be eligible for parole after serving 25 years on condition that it is approved by the parole board, which would include two psychologists.

Handing down her sentence, Savage said: “Women and children must be able to make use of public spaces in all communities across the country without risk and fear of attack, bodily violation or even loss of life.

“The gravity of his (Oliver’s) conduct and the unfathomable level of violence perpetrated by him on the deceased as a child, more so when he is a married father of two young daughters, must be punished harshly,” said Judge Savage.

Initially, Oliver pleaded not guilty to all charges excluding robbery; he changed his plea to guilty on all four counts following testimonies of 14 witnesses.

Oliver failed to testify in court and instead wrote a letter apologising.

He claimed “evil spirits came over him” and asked for a plea-bargain.

“When faced with clear evidence from the State, the accused comprehended, opportunistically so, the urgency of admitting his guilt on all counts,” said Judge Savage.

The National Prosecuting Authority had asked the court to impose three life sentences, but was satisfied with the judgment.