Community members in Kwa-Thema came out in numbers on the evening of September 17 for a walk and a mass prayer in honour of Dineo Evelyn Motapane (38).

The group gathered on Majola Street and proceeded to Moshoeshoe Street, where Motapane’s body was found on Tuesday.

The organiser of the walk, Keamogetswe Masike, told the African Reporter that community members turned out to show solidarity and comfort Motapane’s family, who were feeling deeply hurt.

“These families must not mourn alone. We prayed with them and showed solidarity. The government has failed these women, and prayer does not relieve it of that failure,” said Masike.

He noted that community members remain concerned about the safety of women while violence and drugs continue to affect communities.

Masike called on the police to react to cases where women report threats against their lives and investigate and arrest those who commit such offences.

“A woman must not die and then become a body before police take it seriously. They should be accountable to the women they fail,” he added.

He called on authorities to investigate those cases which were already registered at police stations and arrest those who abuse women and sell drugs in the community.

Masike added that different government structures have roles to play, from municipal structures to fix streetlights, police to conduct patrols in the area, and the Social Development Department to offer shelter and counselling to victims.

He added that the community will organise a march against GBVF in the City of Ekurhuleni, and more details will be given.

“We are not going to leave this here as women continue dying. We have heard enough speeches, and now we are fed up,” noted Masike.

He added that organisers intend to formally engage SAPS, the municipality, and other government departments to answer for their actions and promises.

Masike said that women should be able to report abuse knowing that something will be done about it. Meanwhile, families affected by violence need to be assisted.

Masike added that community members need to stop protecting offenders because they happen to be relatives or friends.

One attendee, Lebogang Mathunyane (36), said the march was meant for women in Kwa-Thema and Ekurhuleni to show that enough was enough.

“When the body was found on Tuesday, I was very scared. Even my sister called to find out if I was okay and whether it was me,” said Mathunyane.

She explained that the discovery has made women feel unsafe.

“For her to be found half-naked, it says a lot about the kind of men in our country,” she said.

Mathunyane added that the community needs better security so women can feel safe going to work, school, and shopping.

She added that marches and protests will not solve the issue and called for more police visibility in the area.

“The same police that go all out to fight corruption should be the ones fighting for the women in this city and country,” she said.