March against domestic violence

Feedback will be inclusive of all stakeholders.

September 2, 2015

Levhuwani Matumba 2 minutes read

Capt Isaac Magagula from Leandra Police Station receives the memorandum from Past Norman Nembudani.

LEANDRA – The Trans-Orange Conference Women’s Ministries led by the Seventh Day Adventist Church submitted a memorandum to the Leandra Police during a march in which they raise domestic violence issues affecting the community.

The aim was to create awareness among women that they should not keep quiet about domestic violence and to ask the police to take action when domestic violence cases are reported to them.

Ms Baatseba Matea-Kim from the Seventh Day Adventist Church said in recognition of the United Nations’ efforts regarding the domestic violence issue, the Trans-Orange Conference Women’s Ministries called all communities, government, businesses, humanitarian organisations, church congregations and schools to use all measures possible to find solutions for working together towards ending domestic violence.

Ms Matea-Kim further said they are advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves.

During an interview with the newspaper, Ms Matea-Kim said women who are abused should get out of their abusive relationships because before they got married, they were clothed, fed and well looked after either by their families or people close to them.

“Therefore, they should not stay in abusive relationships because they are afraid about who will look after them, they should depend on the Lord,” said Ms Matea-Kim.

The Leandra station commander, Capt Isaac Magagula, thanked the women for making an effort to ensure women and children’s rights are being raised.

“We will scrutinise the memorandum and make sure that you get feedback that will be inclusive of all stakeholders who need to form part of the solution to this problem,” said Capt Magagula.

He also challenged other organisations in the society to work together and to work with the police.

The Leandra Police spokesman, W/O Khuselwa Matrose, said they support the End it Now initiative, because their voices alone cannot be heard.

“According to our statistic, domestic violence is dominating the problems in the area,” said W/O Matrose.

She further encouraged women to seek help and to contact people they feel comfortable talking to, like church leaders.

The district pastor of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Past Norman Nembudani, thanked the councillors for supporting their initiative.

He also acknowledged the children who took part in the march, because domestic violence also affect children.