A lot more needs to be done to protect women and children in Mpumalanga. This is according to Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie.

He said this in reaction to the murder of a 7-year-old girl in Delmas this week, as well as the murder ofa 19-year-old in Mattafin, Mbombela on November 3.

“The rising level of brutality against women and girls in the province is disturbing. These levels of callousness won’t be accepted in any self-loving society. We must not only condemn these incidents, but we should work closely together to better protect women and children.”

According to the police, the body of little Thandolwethu Mahlangu was discovered yesterday (November 12), two days after she disappeared in Delpark.

Macie said this murder happened mere days after a 19-year-old Mbombela woman was stabbed to death while at home in Mattafin.

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“There many such cases which have been reported across the province since the beginning of this year. Government has enacted and revised various pieces of legislation to better protect women and children.

“However, these cases are on the rise. We must work harder to turn the tide against gender-based violence and Femicide (GBVF),” said Macie.

He called for calm in communities while the security cluster is working around the clock to bring the perpetrators to justice. The MEC added that many culprits have been convicted successfully and were serving lengthy jail terms.

He also mentioned that more collaborative work is required to deal with the root causes of abuse. He is calling on the police to ensure that they investigate abuse cases with thoroughness and greater swiftness so that culprits are urgently brought to book.

He further applauded the police management in the province for activating a 72-hour plan as part of tracking the suspects. Macie is appealing to parents and guardians of minors to be vigilant and always know the whereabouts of their children.

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