Women can be own worst enemies
‘ATENDENCY to be swayed by tears, M’lady” (July 10) refers. Judge Thokozile Masipa’s inappropriately light six-year sentence for murder meted out to Oscar Pistorius is not unusual, particularly when the victim is a woman: many women are raised to have a low opinion of their gender.
Some male judges have also been known to be harsh when dealing with woman witnesses and defendants.
The Supreme Court of Appeal judges who presided over the appeal against the Pistorius verdict were almost patronising when they referred to Masipa. “The fact that the court has determined that certain mistakes were made should not be seen as an adverse comment on her competence and ability.” Why not? Did the appeal court judges lower the bar because she is a woman?
We do not expect our justices to ignore extenuating circumstances. We expect them to be objective and not to be swayed by tears, and to recognise the difference between genuine remorse and self-pity.
Masipa remarked that being imprisoned is stressful and might affect Pistorius emotionally. Really? It is accepted that prisoners will not be afforded much more than their basic human rights. This did not apply to Pistorius: during his first term of imprisonment he was granted a variety of rights and comforts to take account of his disability.
In 1995, Human Rights Watch published a report, “Sometimes the biggest enemy of women is other women”, which stated that South African women of all races continue to complain of mistreatment at the hands of woman police officers, prosecutors and magistrates, district surgeons or court clerks, et cetera.
South African women remain second-class citizens. Economic, social and legal inequalities persist. Women are subjected to widespread violence that prevents them from enjoying the rights promised by the constitution.
We will probably never know exactly what happened on that fatal night. What we do know is that Pistorius became an amputee when he was very young, and it is likely that little was denied him during his childhood and years of fame. It is possible he is ill-equipped to deal with frustration.
But none of this exonerates Masipa for the two totally unjust sentences she meted out. — Cynthia Hayward, by e-mail
Court theatrics paid off
LISTENING to the judgment, it was clear even for a layman that Judge Thokozile Masipa was leaning towards the theatre played out by Oscar Pistorius’s defence to demonstrate his vulnerability and justify why he shouldn’t be jailed for a lengthy period. The judge fell for the “genuine remorse” displayed by Pistorius, plainly ignoring the agony and pain written all over Barry Steenkamp as he was testifying.
Apparently a judge may deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence if satisfied there are compelling circumstances. However, in this case Masipa first erred by finding Pistorius guilty of culpable homicide on a wrongly interpreted dolus eventualis argument.
It is frightening that in another case, the gruesome rape and murder of a teenage girl, the judge showed similar leniency to one of the accused, sentencing him to only eight years. — Peter Monyuku, Wendywood
Better suited to social work
THE judge perhaps needs to reconsider her career, if she is so blatantly moved by tears, for social work and to advocate for restorative justice.
Her personality perhaps is at odds with the demands of her job.
Globally, women have poor access to the legal system. When they eventually do access it, it appears they are disadvantaged by the same women supposed to be disseminating deterrence with the maximum tariff of punishment. — Malebo, by e-mail
‘Blue eyes’ were no better
“WHY I hire blue eyes before black guys” (July 10) refers.
It’s very unfortunate that Lerato Tshabalala has had such bad experience with black service providers. I have had a similar bad experience with white service providers. Their failure was not due to their race; it was just pure incompetence. Human beings of whatever type can be good, bad, competent, hard-working and so forth.
I suspect Lerato is suffering from self-hate. The cure would be to read, read and read; and mix with the right
Sugar daddies, bitter deal
I HAVE read “54 is the new 24” (July 24). I must say these men are really unattractive.
Now let’s get to the sugar daddy syndrome: an older man entering a relationship with a younger woman.
“Seasoned” lover says it all. He has possibly slept with many women . . . As a matter of national interest, HIV is most prevalent among young women — we need to protect them from these foxes. Who, after all, respects an older man who has “bought” himself a young woman? — Susanne, by e-mail
I’m too sexy, but oh so nice
I ENJOY my nicely trimmed grey beard and keep myself looking good at all times. Most women admire my silver fox looks. Some say I look like people. — Thulani Ngcobo, Midrand
Colourful stories
YOUR opinion, Lerato, but you probably never watch Speak Out. Some among us have real-life stories about all colours! What a pity you are still in that prison you put yourself in! — Morongwa, by e-mail
Why we vote for mediocrity
WHAT Lerato Tshabalala is saying is that we darkies, the majority of us, don’t hold ourselves to high standards. I understand your point, Lerato. I’ve experienced that, although in a slightly different form, as a man. That’s why we keep on voting for a government that worships mediocrity. — Matete Letsie, Cape Town
Finders Keepers forever!
“FINDERS Keepers is back. Winner gets R1m” (July 10) refers.
I was an avid fan of the old Finders Keepers and spent many hours working out the clues with visits to the Joburg library. A real challenge. I look forward to in this new edition. — Sheelagh Smallwood, by e-mail
Chuck Norris of SABC
“HLAUDI’s R167m Zuma TV deal” (July 10) refers. Hlaudi Motsoeneng is the man! Not since PW Botha has the deputy minister of finance Mcebisi Jonas. I agree.
I was crowned Mr Mdantsane in 1993 and am doing my second master’s degree.
But I am against taking advantage of women because of my looks. — Andile Mshumpela, Buffalo City SABC experienced such a dazzling display of arrogance and ignorance.
PW knew how to shut down a news broadcast and wag a finger at critics, but Hlaudi does it with style. He’s the Chuck Norris of broadcasting. How many journalists can Hlaudi suspend? All of them! Hlaudi may yet fall, but he’s virtually guaranteed himself a diplomatic posting somewhere safe. — Mitch Launspach, Mogale City
No way to sweeten pill
“SUGAR tax best way to swallow bitter pill that we are fat” (July 10) refers. Sugar tax? No — we are taxed enough already. As a skinny 63kg, Comrades-running, 68-year-old poor pensioner, with my own medical aid, I cost the state absolutely zero.
The government’s purpose is not to try to spend all my money; it is there to provide me with necessary services in return for my money. — Robbie Lehman, by e-mail