Should bail be denied automatically for suspects accused of GBV?

With the rising trends in gender-based violence, most victims and family of victims are always hopeful that the accused are denied bail.

Gender-based violence in recent times became the top of the fears of women and children. Most of them lamented on the fears and troubles that runs through their minds when they are alone or stranded.

The fears becomes more terrifying when a known rapist is granted freedom on bail till he’s next court appearance.

Some are of the opinion that the accused is not yet a changed person and this can give the accused more reasons to commit more atrocities.

Here is a case scenario

On Friday, an Eastern Cape man appeared in court in Alexandria for a formal bail application

He was accused of attacking a young woman and stabbing her multiple times.

The 18-year-old victim is currently in the hospital fighting for her life in intensive care.

Over 200 community members gathered outside the court to oppose his bail.

Economic Freedom Fighters proportional representation (PR) councillor, Xolisa Runeli, said the community was angry and wanted justice.

“Community members have gathered outside court. As members of the EFF we are asking for no bail against this perpetrator who was the boyfriend, while she is in ICU fighting for her life,” Runeli said.

Another situation

A man that attempted to snatch a child in a restaurant had to drop his bail application for “safety reasons”.

The 24-year-old Naseem Slamang was seen in a viral video allegedly attempting to snatch a child at a restaurant in Florida, Gauteng.
When he appeared in the Roodepoort magistrate’s courts for his bail application Slamang’s attorney Eric Mahlalela stated that his client is no longer interested in being released on bail because he feared for his safety.

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“He has instructed me that he is abandoning his bail application on the basis of his safety.”

What about refusing bail for the accused ones in order to keep susceptible victims and accused safe?

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