Govt committed to gender-based violence fight, minister tells slain woman’s family
Minister in the presidency for women Maite Nkoana-Mashabane reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eradicate gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) as she visited the family of a slain Pretoria, Eersterust woman on Tuesday.
“The purpose of my visit in Eersterust is to express solidarity with the family and reaffirm government’s commitment to eradicate GBVF as a societal challenge,” Nkoana-Mashabane said.
This as South Africa reels in shock from a spate of heinous murders of women over the past week.
Nkoana-Mashabane visited the family of Evelyn De Kock (42), who was found stabbed to death and her body left in an outside room in Eersterust on Sunday. She was allegedly stabbed to death by her partner.
On Monday, a 50-year-old man was arrested in connection with the murder.
Minister in the presidency for women Maite Nkoana-Mashabane reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eradicate gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) as she visited the family of a slain Pretoria, Eersterust woman on Tuesday.
“The purpose of my visit in Eersterust is to express solidarity with the family and reaffirm government’s commitment to eradicate GBVF as a societal challenge,” Nkoana-Mashabane said.
This as South Africa reels in shock from a spate of heinous murders of women over the past week.
Nkoana-Mashabane visited the family of Evelyn De Kock (42), who was found stabbed to death and her body left in an outside room in Eersterust on Sunday. She was allegedly stabbed to death by her partner.
On Monday, a 50-year-old man was arrested in connection with the murder.
“I acknowledge the good work of SAPS in acting with speed to arrest wanted suspects in reported cases of GBVF.
“These swift actions provide some comfort to families and loved ones who must deal with the brutal reality of losing a loved one in such a violent manner.”
She, however, said prevention remains key in ending “the relentless war waged on women”.
She called upon community leaders and other stakeholders to contribute their part in eradicating the scourge in GBVF seemingly becoming a never-ending crisis in the country.
“The constant killing of women and children is too much for us to bear. We are disgusted, ashamed and forced to question the very humanity of men who think that the bodies of women are sites for violence and control.
“Gender-based violence in all its forms must be denounced, not just by the government, but by communities within which these perpetrators reside,” she said.
She said GBVF was a societal problem that needed government, civil society and other societal stakeholders to effectively respond to.
“The only way South Africa can bring down its almost five times higher than global average femicide rate is if society and government rally together to ensure there is no safe place for a perpetrator anywhere in South Africa.”
Nkoana-Mashabane also addressed residents of Eersterust who also held a protest against gender-based violence outside the De Kock home on Tuesday.
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