KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube visited eNkanini area in Mtwalume under Umzumbe Municipality, to unveil the provincial government’s campaign against gender-based violence (GBV) last Saturday.

This area is known for heart-wrenching cases of GBV, and in a recent incident a man brutally killed a woman with a pick-handle.

Women have also been raped and killed, allegedly by a serial killer.

The premier wrapped up the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children and launched a 365 days campaign against GBV and femicide.

The aim of this programme is to raise public awareness of the negative impact that violence and abuse have on women and children, and to rid society of abuse permanently.

The event also focused on the rights of people living with HIV, people with disabilities and members of the LGBTQI+ community.

Dube-Ncube said people need to work together to play their part to end GBV not just for 16 days but for 365 days a year, every year.

“The scourge of GBV is a societal problem that has been described as a ‘pandemic’, and like a disease, it continues to cripple our society. We appeal to members of the community to report to authorities when they witness acts of abuse and violence being committed against women and children. Silence encourages perpetrators of GBV to commit it with impunity when members of the community turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to it.”
Dube-Ncube said there will be no no-go areas for women.

“Today we are starting a campaign to claim back our freedom to move anywhere, any time without being harassed or attacked.”

The premier said there have been instances where police did not respond as quickly as they should have.

“We’ve also had instances where regular police are being sent to scenes and not the specialised unit for such incidents.”

She said they are looking at building a victim-friendly police station
She added that throughout the year they will be opening more Thuthuzela care centres and focusing on training more police for such incidents and scenes.

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