From the news desk

Witness protection vital for prosecution

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The Western Cape Department of Community Safety are calling for more accessibility for witnesses to the country’s witness protection programme, after recent reports highlighting South Africa’s dismal prosecution rate. Of 3100 gang related murders and attempted murder in the last three years, only 85 cases have seen successful conviction

The department has suggested this shocking performance could be attributed to the fear on the part of key witnesses to come forward and testify. In a recent op-ed, MEC Dan Plato expressed concerns that public fear of retaliation was effectively scuppering attempts at justice.

The MEC’s spokesperson, Ewald Botha said that whilst SA had an excellent witness protection programme up to international standards, it needed to be implemented better and made more accessible to those at risk.

Making reference to the trial of alleged 28s gang leader, George ‘Gewald’ Thomas, he said developments in the case showed that there was definitely an escalated risk when it came to such high profile cases.

“The Department of Justice prides itself that it hasn’t lost a witness or related person that has been part of the witness protection programme in the last 14 years. On the other side you sit with a situation where, like the recent ‘Geweld’ Thomas case, six potential state witnesses were murdered,” he highlighted, stressing the need for a broader programme.

Whilst the concept of witness protection carries the stereotypical view of individuals relocating and forfeiting their identities, Botha was eager to point out that this was only a last resort. He indicated that the protection could also be provided in simpler forms like the provision of a phone, with a direct line to someone who could be of assistance should the potential witness feel threatened. It could also take the form of secure transport to and from the courts.

“The importance remains, especially in drug and gang related crimes that without a witness there is basically no case. Therefore there is no justice for either victim or family. This is what we want; we want our streets to be rid of criminals, gangsters and drug lords,” he said.

Botha added that in all related cases, a witness or potential testifier should never be in a situation whereby they felt threatened of fearful of the individual or group they were providing testimony against; at least in a perfect judicial system.

“The safeguards need to be in place to ensure that people feel free to provide a testimony, that will in the end make their streets safer,” he concluded. VOC (Mubeen Banderker)


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