The Editorial | Show His Face - the faces of the men who murder and maim

We know the countless names and faces of women who were brutally assaulted and killed by their partners, loved ones and even strangers.

The most horrifying cases of murder and rape make headlines every day – one woman’s experience more harrowing than the next.

The faces and names of the murderers, rapists and sexual assault perpetrators, however, are less known and publicised.
These ferocious criminals get a free pass in many ways when the media does not reveal their identity due to some prescripts of the law.

This Women’s Month, City Press reveals their faces and honours the women killed at these perpetrators’ hands by sharing their stories.

There is great danger in the suspects’ anonymity.
There is a danger that witnesses’ and victims’ evidence will never be heard and that, unexposed, perpetrators will become repeat offenders.

In a recent editorial, City Press wrote:

“Despite the escalating crime levels in South Africa, we still hope every year that August (and the rest of the year) will pass without many heinous incidents of gender-based violence. And every August, when we are supposed to be on our toes, so to speak, we are proven tragically wrong.”

We like to imagine that, in the face of all the “awareness” speeches and tough talk by authorities, rapists and murderers will be shamed into quitting their evil deeds and giving this traumatised country some respite.

However, the reality was that the month had not even begun, and the country woke up to the news of eight women being gang raped in Krugersdorp while filming a music video at a mine dump.

There is not a speck of hope of the abuse abating as all indications show that femicide and gender-based violence are on the rise.

There is a war against women in South Africa and those in power are leading the charge often through their ignorance, the perpetuation of stereotypes and neglecting their duties to keep women and children safe.

Police Minister Bheki Cele perpetuated rape culture when he said a 19-year-old woman who was raped along with seven other women in Krugersdorp West Village was “lucky, if it is lucky” to have been raped by one man, as opposed to several men.

In 2021, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said educated men do not rape.
She was addressing pupils at the start of the school year when they quickly corrected her. The minister later released a statement and apologised.
Rape culture is everywhere and, if unchecked, sends a distressing message to survivors of gender-based violence.

There are very few indications that femicide and gender-based violence are abating in South Africa.
The latest quarterly crime statistics show that contact crimes rose by 15% – these include assault and sexual offences. Violent crimes against women, including murder and assault, also recorded double-digit growth.

The police revealed that 6 083 people were murdered during the first quarter of 2022 (up 22%) – that’s 68 people a day – the highest number recorded over this period in the past five years.
Sexual offences increased by 13.7%.
This begs the question: where are the arrests, the convictions and the jail times?

Join the #ShowHisFace campaign by sharing the stories of victims and survivors as we honour them this Women’s Month.

City Press journalists Palesa Dlamini, Noxolo Majavu, Sthembiso Lebuso and Karabo Ledwaba, as well as photographer Rosetta Msimango interview survivors and the families of those who died.

Society still favours perpetrators – psychologist

Clinical psychologist Dr Riette de Lauwere said the way the country viewed women remained a huge problem – it remained patriarchal and continued to objectify women.

Conviction rate for gender-based violence, femicide not as high as it seems

A report shockingly shows that of the cases that were enrolled for trial, 731 (18.5%) started, a mere 340 (8.6%) were finalised with a guilty verdict of a sexual offence.

‘The pain will always be there’ – Karabo Mokoena’s parents

Convicted murderer Sandile Mantsoe killed 22-year-old Karabo Mokoena before burning her body beyond recognition in 2017. Her story and that of Mantsoe are etched in South Africa’s history.

Waiting for justice | Josias Leboho

The father of Tshepo Rakoma’s two youngest children and her former partner, Josias Leboho, who she shared a life with for seven years, gunned her down after she had asked for a separation.

‘It felt like we were burying Tshegofatso again’

We revisit how Ntuthuko Shoba masterminded the death of Tshegofatso Pule and his unborn child.

Tshokolo Moepati | Brutal murder in Orange Farm

Tshokolo Moepati beat and torched the body of his wife Maaki Lehoko. He was arrested and is expected in court in late August.

Woman marries rapist out of fear

Litlhare Semoli still can't bring herself to name her rapist, whom she married. Through POWA, Semoli is finding healing and is actively encouraging other women to find healing as well.