KEY POINTS
- Northern Cape High Court upheld life sentences for convicted rapist Patrick Visagie.
- Victim impact reports detailed long-term psychological and emotional damage.
- Gender-based violence activists applauded the decision as a step toward justice.
A Northern Cape High Court ruling has reaffirmed the life sentences of convicted rapist Patrick Visagie, dismissing his appeal for a reduced sentence.
According to presiding judge Albert Nxumalo, Visagie did not offer enough compelling reasons for authorities to reduce his sentence because he had a long criminal record since his teenage years.
Visagie had pleaded guilty to raping two women and was convicted in the Kimberley Regional Court.
In addition to the rape charges, he faced five counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances and five counts of kidnapping.
The court established that he refused to display any remorse for what he did.
Court Judge Nxumalo expressed strong opposition to this degrading act, which takes away victim dignity alongside causing severe mental and psychological harm.
He emphasized that rapists pierce into the deepest parts of an individual’s most private realm while insisting that the judicial system needs to deliver a firm message against sexual assaults.
Victims’ testimonies highlight psychological and emotional toll
A series of victim impact reports showed the complete destruction that resulted from Visagie’s criminal actions.
Among surviving victims, one person developed depression while post-traumatic stress disorder admission became necessary for another survivor after the attacks.
IOL reported how the second victim ended up with significant anxiety alongside an opioid prescription dependency, following the sexual violence incident.
One of the assaults occurred in March 2018, when Visagie and an accomplice threatened a woman with a knife, forced her into her own vehicle, and drove her to a secluded area before assaulting her.
In a separate attack, Visagie raped another victim multiple times without protection.
The judge stressed that the severity of the crimes, coupled with Visagie’s history of lawlessness, justified the maximum sentence.
Anti-GBV organizations commend the ruling
The court decision received support from activists working against gender-based violence who stressed the importance of strict law enforcement to protect victim survivors.
The spokesperson for Ilitha Labantu, Siyabulela Monakale, commended the legal order because it emphasized punishment for perpetrators.
“This judgment sends a clear message that sexual violence will not be tolerated. While this ruling is a step in the right direction, we must continue advocating for better survivor support systems and prevention strategies,” Monakale said.
Through its ruling, the Northern Cape High Court emphasized South Africa’s absolute opposition to gender-based violence by mandating strong punishments to prevent future offenses.
