GBVF activist raises concern over rising number of cases in Nkomazi

The gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) activist and founder of the Lydia Sono Foundation, Lydia Sono, says she is concerned by the rise of GBVF cases in Nkomazi.

This was in light of a number of cases that had recently been reported at the Tonga Police Station.

With the 16 Days of Activism campaigns kicking off in a couple of weeks, Sono says the number of women reporting GBVF cases is alarming. “I have worked with a number of women and children through the foundation, and what is happening lately in Nkomazi is of grave concern. We help victims navigate through the healing journey and also support them during court appearances. I was really shocked when I was called to one case in KaMhlushwa where a woman was attacked in the comfort of her home in the presence of her two children. She was severely hit on the head with a garden hoe and is currently fighting for her life in hospital,” said Sono.

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Sono further made reference to several other cases that are currently on the Tonga Magistrate’s Court roll.

“We have recently also heard of an incident in which a man has allegedly raped three of his own children. As if that was not enough to sound an alarm, another case has emerged in which a man also raped his own six-year-old child. What is even more sad about these incidents is that some of the victims endure this to a point of falling pregnant and giving birth to children by their own fathers,” she added.

Sono has also called on family members to desist from treating criminal behaviour as private family matters. “Nothing is as heartbreaking as seeing these cases withdrawn only because the people insist they should be discussed within the families. I have also dealt with matters of which we are in full support and get told that we should back off because the family has decided to deal with it from within. When it comes to crime, nothing should be treated as a family matter. These criminals should be in jail where they belong, not among families.”

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The Lydia Sono Foundation will be embarking on creating more awareness during the 16 Days of Activism period. “I am calling upon any department or company that is willing to join us on this journey. We are ready to visit any school or organisation to talk about this pandemic. Our main constraint right now is the budget, and we are making a call to anyone who can help us to come forth. We are fighting a good fight and it’s best we do it united as a community.”