The eloquence to evade accountability

Notorious murderers and rapists Thabo Bester and Luyanda Botha left South Africans stunned with their eloquence during recent court proceedings.

Their performances on the stand stood in stark contrast with the horrific crimes they are accused of having committed. Forensic and clinical psychologist Dr Giada Del Fabbro has shed some light on the surprising verbal proficiency displayed by the two.

In June, Bester — known as the Facebook rapist — ranted during his court appearance at the high court in Bloemfontein, demanding that he be given the death sentence. He also expressed frustration about having been denied the opportunity to wear designer clothing in court. His escape from prison has sparked wide public interest.

Meanwhile, Botha, serving a life sentence for raping and killing University of Cape Town student Uyinene Mrwetyana, is on trial in the Wynberg magistrate’s court for alleged attempted rape. He is accused of attempting to rape a nursing student at a college in Athlone in 2014. During one of his court appearances, Botha said he had been in a relationship with the alleged victim. He also said the woman had been cheating on him with another woman.

“I am aware that the court will want me to focus on what happened at the college and may only be interested in what happened there,” he said.

“But, that said, there is a context from which the events that took place that day at the college originate. And if that context is left unsaid, then my testimony to me will not be complete, because I understand how I was saying and how I came to some of the decisions I took there at the college. That depends completely on this context, and without it I doubt that the court will be able to view what I say in a fair light.”

Botha then detailed what he alleged had transpired.

“So, if I am allowed, I will start by giving a brief context and say that I was in a relationship with a beautiful young lady whom I adored. And since we had the same religious beliefs and [were] striving towards such a life, a godly life, we [were] already, though we had only dated for a year, talking marriage,” he said.

“But we decided to put it off until she finished her nursing diploma. About a month before this day in question, our relationship was strained because I had discovered that she was cheating with another girl whom she had introduced to me as only just a friend.

“When I raised the matter, she denied it, of course, and told me that whoever had revealed this to me only wanted to break us apart. So while we were trying to work things out, while we were trying to regain my trust, she offered to cut ties with the person who was said to be her lover.”

Del Fabbro said the “eloquence exhibited by convicted murderers such as Thabo Bester and Luyanda Botha can be attributed to a combination of factors”.

“[First], violent criminals frequently possess superior intelligence and communication abilities, which can assist them in effectively expressing their emotions and thoughts. Additionally, it is a prevalent characteristic of convicted murderers to rationalise their actions and manipulate others,” said Del Fabbro.

“These individuals may try to obtain sympathy, control the narrative surrounding their crimes, or even attempt to downplay the severity of their actions by presenting themselves in an eloquent manner. This strategic utilisation of language can serve as a means for them to preserve a sense of authority and influence over others, despite the fact that they have committed crimes. The eloquence of convicted killers can disclose a complex interplay of traits — including narcissism, manipulativeness and a sense of entitlement — in terms of personality.”

Del Fabbro said criminals might perceive themselves as superior to others if they had strong persuasive abilities and a high intellect.

“Their capacity to manipulate and deceive others through their words may indicate a profound desire for validation and control, as well as a distorted sense of self-importance. In general, the eloquence of individuals such as Thabo Bester and Luyanda Botha provides a glimpse into their personalities and strategies,” said Del Fabbro.

“Their manipulative tendencies, their efforts to control the narrative surrounding their crimes, and their inherent sense of superiority are underscored. We can gain valuable insights into the minds of these convicted murderers and better understand the complex motivations driving their actions by analysing their use of language and communication style.”

Del Fabbro said it was possible to interpret the eloquence of convicted murderers such as Bester and Botha as part of a deliberate strategy to manipulate public perception, garner sympathy and potentially influence the legal outcome.

“This type of conduct is frequently linked to individuals who exhibit narcissistic tendencies and a strong desire for power and control,” said Del Fabbro.

“These individuals may endeavour to project a specific image onto the public and potentially influence opinions in their favour by presenting themselves as persuasive and articulate. It is crucial for legal professionals and the public to be cognisant of these strategies and look beyond the eloquence to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the genuine motivations and dispositions of these individuals.”

Del Fabbro said it was not uncommon for individuals with antisocial or narcissistic traits to possess a certain level of charisma and verbal dexterity that enabled them to manipulate others, including the public and the media.

“These individuals may endeavour to regulate the narrative surrounding them, elicit sympathy from others, or even influence legal outcomes in their favour by presenting themselves eloquently. Their capacity to articulate their thoughts and emotions effectively does not necessarily indicate a moral compass or genuine remorse,” said Del Fabbro.

“In reality, it can be a deliberate approach to avoid accountability, minimise their actions, or present themselves in a more favourable [light]. The dissonance between their illicit actions and their eloquence prompts enquiries regarding the authenticity of their statements and their true intentions. It is imperative to take into account the broader context of their motivations and behaviour when analysing the correlation between their verbal abilities and their culpability.

“Though eloquence can be an instrument for manipulation, it should not obscure the severity of their crimes or their effects on victims. While comprehending the intricacies of their personalities and strategies can offer valuable insights into their mindset and behaviour, it should not diminish the repercussions of their actions or absolve them of personal responsibility.”

Del Fabbro said it was imperative to comprehend the potential motivations behind the verbal statements of criminals such as Bester and Botha, whose eloquence stood in stark contrast with their criminal activities.

“Their eloquence could be interpreted as a form of emotional labour that is intended to create a favourable impression and potentially mitigate their punishment from a psychological perspective. Research indicates that individuals who engage in illicit behaviour frequently implement a variety of strategies, such as verbal manipulation, to elicit sympathy, deflect blame, or minimise their responsibility. They may attempt to influence public perceptions, reduce the severity of their punishment, or influence legal outcomes by presenting themselves as articulate and composed,” said Del Fabbro.

“It is imperative that we, as observers, conduct a critical analysis of the discrepancy between their eloquent statements and their criminal activities. Though eloquence can be a potent weapon for persuasion, it should not obscure the severity of their offences or undermine their accountability. By further exploring the psychological dynamics at play, we can develop a more sophisticated comprehension of the intricate interplay between language, perception and culpability in the context of criminal behaviour.”

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