This is according to Mary Makhubele, a social worker in Giyani, who was speaking during the launch of the 16 Days of Activism of No Violence Against Women and Children campaign held last week Monday at Mahlathi village. “We have dealt with many cases where mothers leave their children with grandparents and go to stay in a city with their boyfriends,” she said. “They take their bank cards, where the grants are deposited, with them leaving the children with nothing,” she continued.

She warned that when it happens, social workers intervene and have the social grants stopped. Another speaker who represented the Gender Forum in Giyani urged women not to stay in unhealthy relationships that pose a threat to their lives. “Staying in a toxic relationship is dangerous, hence women should seek help if they encounter situations where they are constantly abused,” she said.

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Clr Cony Manganyi, who spoke on behalf of the Mayor of the Greater Giyani Municipality, expressed concern that incidences of women and child abuse were still occurring despite the government’s attempts to secure the safety of families. “As a municipality, we demand that the mistreatment of women and children cease; not only during the campaign but 365 days of the year,” she stated.

Manganyi also addressed abuse inflicted by women on men, stating that many men suffer in silence for fear of being shamed if they report domestic abuse to the police. “These are the issues that we need to address in our communities to build a better society,” she continued, urging the police to investigate allegations of abuse with care, regardless of who reports them.