The scum of the earth gets off lightly while women’s lives are destroyed
Nicolene Swart, survivor of gender-based violence
Image credit: Screen grab from CCTV footage
Last week, I read an article in News24 about the sentencing of a man, Jaco Swart, after his being found guilty for assaulting his estranged wife.
What made this story different from so many others, was that it was accompanied by video footage of some of the assaults.
I apprehensively clicked on the video. CCTV footage showed Nicolene Swart – a tiny, petite woman - being hit by Jaco Swart who is big and muscled. She tries to run out of the room, but he follows her. At some stage she is curled up on a counter, trying to protect herself from his blows.
The second part of the shocking video shows him chasing her in a car showroom. She tries to move away from him, but he kicks her so hard that she falls to the ground, before fleeing.
Apparently, some of the assaults over time happened in front of their two children.
Nicolene Swart is not only a survivor, she is also a brave warrior for women’s rights. She went to the police and opened a case, but lo and behold a magistrate struck the case off the roll, because - according to the NPA -his court was “too busy” on the day.
Only after the private prosecution unit of Gerrie Nel at Afriforum got involved was the case finally prosecuted.
Jaco Swart admitted guilt to two counts (one can only assume there were many more) of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The court then fined him… wait for it… R20 000 and imposed a three year suspended jail sentence.
So, now we know what a women’s life is worth in this country. R20 000!!
Why is it that the suffering of women and particularly partners or wives is deemed less important or damaging? I have no doubt that if Jaco Swart had assaulted another man (for example an employee) in the same manner as he did his wife, his punishment would have been far more severe.
After reading this story, I came across a report on the website of The Dullah Omar Institute about men who leave their government or political positions after accusations of gender based violence – only to take up higher positions elsewhere. They mentioned amongst others the cases of a senior manager in the Department of Environmental Affairs, Forestry and Fisheries who were accused of amongst others rape and two Eastern Cape legislators who were investigated for demanding sex for jobs.
In all three cases the men promptly resigned before any sanction could be applied and took up senior positions in either government departments or other parastatals, where they are still today.
Although all these cases go back to 2017, there is no question that this happens all the time.
It is completely unacceptable that men who are accused of Gender Based Violence can just summarily resign, thus ensuring that the cases against them are no longer investigated and leaving them free to seek alternative employment, and in all likelihood, repeat their behavior.
In cases like these, their notice period should be enforced, allowing a speedy investigation so that - at a minimum – these charges are reflected in their personnel files.
Let’s be very clear that Nicolene Swart and her two children’s lives will never be 100% fine. Ever. Neither would those of the thousands of other women who go through similar horrors at home and at work. When women get abused, assaulted or raped, their lives are destroyed, as are those of the children who bear witness to it.
Yet, these men get fined a lousy R20 000 or resign and go to the next job as our society keeps failing women over and over again.
To Nicolene and all the women who endure these unspeakable horrors at the hands of men, I bow my head in shame that you have been so badly failed by the system. I weep as I think about what you have gone or are going through. I want you to know that you are not alone. I and others will remain your voices even when yours are choked or strangled into silence by these men who can only be described as the scum of the earth.