Whites Sentenced To Death In S.A.

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32145, 14 November 1969, Page 9

Whites Sentenced To Death In S.A.

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

JOHANNESBURG, November 13.

Two young white men were sentenced to death in Johannesburg for rape yesterday after the judge described their actions as being “like wild animals in the jungle.” Imposition of the death sentence for rape is rare in South Africa.

The men, Adrian Macvay, aged 23, and Willem Van Wyk, aged 19, had pleaded guilty of raping three females —including two teen-agers—-between February and June this year. The judge, Mr Justice Victor Heimstra, said before passing sentence in the Band Supreme Court that they had followed an established pattern snatching up women in their car and taking them away to be raped. “These people are incapable of remorse. They treated rape as an evening’s entertainment,” the Judge said. Judge Hiemstra added that

he had no doubt that one of those raped—a girl of 14— had suffered considerable emotional damage as a result.

The two condemned men have eight days in which to appeal against the sentence. President J. Fouche has the authority to commute death sentences, but failing this or a successful appeal, the men will hang. The last man to be hanged for rape was an African, Amos Zulu, who was sent to the gallows in September last year after being found guilty of raping a five-year-old white girl.