Protesters march against gender-based violence
The ANC's provincial youth and women's leagues demanded that the police take action to stop violence against women and children, yesterday.
MBOMBELA – A memorandum to this effect was handed to provincial police commissioner, Lt Gen Mondli Zuma.
This was preceded by a community march down Ferreira Street.
According to provincial youth league secretary, Pholoso Mbetsane the organisation noticed a growing trend of violence aimed at children and young women in particular.
Lydia Moroane, secretary of the province’s women’s league elaborated. “Women are assaulted, raped, killed and their bodies burned. This happens regularly. I must point out that the elderly also fall target often,” she said.
The memorandum requested the police to intensify the fight against gender-based violence.
Stricter border controls and the prevention of crimes such as robbery, rape, human trafficking and murder were advocated.
“The judicial system must tighten the belt when it comes to gender violence cases,” it read.
According to Moroane, the withdrawal of such cases due to lack of evidence and “the disappearance of dockets” were problematic.
“Also, corrupt police officials must be eradicated,” she said.
A plea for perpetrators to be sentenced harshly was also included.
Mbetsane said that meetings between relevant role players must be held “to circumvent a potentially explosive situation of gender and domestic violence, substance abuse and peddling of drugs”.
A response from the police was demanded within 30 days.
