Nkomazi ANC marches against GBVF in Tonga
The Tonga area in Nkomazi has had a horrendous November with a slew of gender-based violence cases.
Over 12 cases of rape have been opened at the Tonga Police Station in November.
This was pointed out during the Nkomazi ANC’s march against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) on November 27.
The march started at the Afval junction in Tonga and proceeded to the police station where a memorandum was submitted, followed by a candle-lighting ceremony.
“The GBVF scourge keeps rearing its head in Nkomazi and we will not sit back and watch. We are here to say no to GBVF and to also forge relationships with the SAPS and assure them that as a community and leader of society, we are on one team with them. We have seen police officers playing a huge role during court proceedings, ensuring that suspects don’t get granted bail,” said the ANC’s Thandeka Dlamini-Makamo.
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Dlamini-Makamo said the statistics they were shown during the march were both surprising and disappointing.
“We only knew of four cases that happened in November, and today we were made aware that over 12 rape cases had been reported at the station just this month. It goes to show that the four cases we knew of were just the tip of the iceberg; so much more is happening in our communities. Hence, we have an agreement with the SAPS that they will be available to meet with our branches and explain to them how the law works in terms of such cases. We also warn community members to refrain from talking about such matters among ourselves. Let’s report cases and give the police the correct evidence so we are be able to get the justice we need.”
The acting station commander, Colonel Nelson Sibiya, thanked the marchers for coming forth and establishing good relationships with the SAPS.
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“One of the challenges we face is that people don’t want to come forward with evidence so we can strengthen the court cases. Most people end up being acquitted in court because there’s either no evidence or no witnesses. We are happy to see that the community is willing to work with us in this fight against crime, especially GBVF. There will be no room for GBVF in Nkomazi if we work together.
“Just this month, we have opened over 12 cases of rape. Children as young as four years old are being raped by people close to them. I am happy to see the community standing up against this plague and I know that together we will win this war,” he said.
