Murder of Anene Booysen

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Murder of Anene Booysen
Part of Sexual violence in South Africa
LocationBredasdorp, Western Cape, South Africa
DateFebruary 2, 2013 (2013-02-02)
Attack type
Gang-rape and murder
Deaths1
No. of participants
5-6 male attackers (alleged)
Convicted1
VerdictGuilty

Anene Booysen (October 30, 1995 – February 2, 2013) was a 17-year-old girl who was found by a security guard the morning after she had been gang-raped and disemboweled at a construction site in Bredasdorp, in the Western Cape, South Africa on February 2, 2013; she was still alive, but died later in the day.[1]

Rape and murder[edit]

Anene Booysen was found by a security guard lying a short distance from her house after spending time at a bar on the evening of February 2, 2013. She died from her injuries in hospital six hours later. She had managed to allegedly identify her attackers before her death. It is unknown why the police chose to ignore all but one.[2]

Reaction[edit]

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma condemned the attack as "shocking, cruel and most inhumane".[3] The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), South Africa's biggest labour union, called for mass action over rape in South Africa.[3][4] Opposition parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko called for parliamentary hearings.[5] The United Nations in South Africa issued a statement strongly condemning the rape and murder.[6] On 13 February, a protest, led by Annie Lennox, was staged at St. George's Cathedral, Cape Town.[7]

Booysen and Reeva Steenkamp, both young South African women killed in 2013, were named SA Persons of the year 2013 by the Daily Maverick.[8]

Funeral[edit]

A funeral was held at the Dutch Reformed Church in Bredasdorp, about 128 km (80 mi) east of Cape Town on February 9, 2013.[9][10]

Prosecution[edit]

Johannes Kana was convicted for the crime, and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences. Two suspects were initially arrested, but only Kana, who confessed to raping Booysen, stood trial. Before she died, Booysen told police five or six men were involved in the attack.[11]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Hundreds mourn at funeral of South Africa gang-rape victim". NDTV.com. 10 February 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  2. ^ Swart, Heidi (15 February 2013). "Will Anene Booysen's brutal rape and murder shake the nation into action?". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  3. ^ a b Staff reporter (7 February 2013). "South Africa's Zuma outraged at Anene Booysen gang-rape murder". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  4. ^ "Picket at the Bredasdorp Court – Rape and murder of teenager - Anene Booysen!". COSATU. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  5. ^ Smith, David (7 February 2013). "South African girl's gang-rape and murder triggers political outrage". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  6. ^ "United Nations strongly condemns the rape and murder of Anene Booysen". United Nations Information Centre Pretoria. Archived from the original on 16 April 2013. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  7. ^ "Annie Lennox leads Anene Booysen protest to St George's Cathedral". SABC. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  8. ^ Davis, Rebecca (13 December 2013). "Daily Maverick's SA Person(s) of the year 2013: Anene Booysen and Reeva Steenkamp". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  9. ^ "South Africa: Victim of brutal gangrape laid to rest". IBNLive. Archived from the original on 14 February 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  10. ^ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/Hundreds-attend-South-African-Nirbhayas-funeral/articleshow/18419217.cms [dead link]
  11. ^ "South African Anene Booysen rapist jailed for life". BBC News. November 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
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