I am shocked to say that perhaps this can only happen in South Africa

Judge may be lenient on 'merciful rapists'
Karyn Maughan
December 09 2004 at 07:00PM

Two men who stabbed and permanently scarred a teenage student in an hour-long rape ordeal three years ago had "shown mercy" by not killing the girl, a Cape High Court judge found on Wednesday.

Acting Judge Beverly Franks found that the "mercy" shown by Frank Agent, 41, and Andries Windvogel, 32, should be considered a mitigating factor in their sentencing and sentenced them to 18 years in jail.

The full sory can be found at: http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20041209103805214C249207

Edited to conform with IOL copywrite requests

No, that's wrong. What's worse...being raped and killed or being raped and left to remember the pain? I mean, rape is rape and that should be taken into account. She was stabbed on top of that?!?! Come on! There should be NO leniency for their actions. Rape is rape...you don't say they were lenient because they didn't kill her! I think it's a great thread, but I have to disagree with the judge's ruling!

I and i think most South African people will agree with you - There is going to be a huge outcry over this. Women in SA are getting raped at an alarming rate. I could tell the world horror stories of rape in this country. I am baffled to see that the Judge thought they could deserve leniency for NOT KILLING HER.

Wow!! :eek: That isnt right!! :mad: What the judge is saying, is that it is okay to do some serious damage to a victim as long as you dont kill them!! No way!!

I jave to say... the 18 years sentence is a whole lot harsher than what they wouldve got here in the U.K.!! Which is a good thing. :thumbsup:

Actually i think rapists should get life, but life here in SA is only 20 years, which is what the sentence is for murder.

i think anyone who rapes should have the victim tell them what his punishment should be.i am a survivor of rape even though he only got sentenced to 6 months in a halfway house and i later shook his hand and forgave him not to say ill ever forget it but saying he should be shown mercy because he didnt kill her thats B.S.i for one think whatever they did to the rape victim should be done to them over and over again until they realize what the rape did to there victim.that way they have the memories of it after there sentence is up.just like the rape survivor has memories after the act is over.but i cant make the laws so have to live with the laws that are.

That is worse than sickening - that's why there is an escalation of violence against women and children in this country. They know they can get away with it. To read that makes me sick to my stomach.

I agree with you... in my opinion rapists should get life. Unfortunately, here in the U.K. they can get as little as 3 years in prison. On average they get only about 7 years, only half of which is served in prison!! :mad: I havent heard of them getting more than 12 years!!