Gauteng MEC of safety Faith Mazibuko joined women and young men in Zandspruit on December. The department of Community Safety along with community members and stakeholders reclaimed the night to promote safety for women and children in Zandspruit.

Nicko Lakgau from the Sol Plaatjie youth desk and women in Safety promoters explained the protest was part of their efforts in raising awareness for Gender-Based Violence during the 16 days of activism against women and children.

“We’ve got a challenge in our country of women and children being abused. As we enter into 16 days of activism, we are trying to make the community aware that it is wrong to kills women and children. We will marching around Zandspruit and going to taverns and other hot spots for crime or where men killed women. It’s important that we join these causes as young people, especially young men. We need to be in the front lines alongside women. Every time these issues come up, we always see women and not men and that also needs to change.”

MEC Mazibuko said, “We are here to protect our mothers and sisters and we are claiming the streets. Women should walk freely in their own communities and not be afraid. They should not be afraid to walk down the street.”

Ward Councillor, Tebogo Mangena echoed what the MEC said and instilled that the programmes to protect women and end GBV should run until Zandspruit is safe.