Update

KNYSNA NEWS - A group of people who were waiting outside the Knysna Magistrate's Court on Friday 30 May in support of Yonela Joko were very upset by the decision to send back the case for further investigation.

The supporters, about 40 strong, said gender-based violence (GBV) is a serious matter and should not be taken lightly by the courts.

 Joko's case of assault against ANC councillor Mboneli Khumelwana was one of a number of cases pertaining to an ANC faction brawl at a recent by-election registration that were scheduled to be heard in court that day.

The decision to send all the cases back for further investigation was taken in a private meeting between the prosecutors, complainants and accused.

'Justice is failing women'

Amanda Godlwana, of Ward 4 in White Location, said they were going to discuss the way forward because the case of Joko is a serious matter.

"We feel like justice is failing us as women. We don't have power or strength to fight back against men," Godlwana said. "You can see by the way they are handling the case they are not taking this case of Yonela seriously.

"They are not treating it as a special case even though it is GBV. We are disappointed in the South African justice system. If this is how GBV cases are treated, women will continue to be abused by men."

She said that, according to Joko, complainants were told in the meeting that the cases were referred back for further investigation because there were confusing statements that had been made by complainants and accused in all the cases.

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