Cases of gender-based violence increase in Ugu
There has also been an increase in GBV cases being reported after 72 hours has lapsed.
Following the recent murder of a woman in Mthwalume, the African National Congress Women’s League – Young Women’s Desk in KwaZulu-Natal said it was appalled by the high rate of murder cases in the province.
Matho Shozi of the KZN Young Women’s Desk said reports by the South African Police Services (SAPS) suggest that there has been cumulative growth in the number of Gender Based Violence (GBV) cases in the past quarter of 2022, particularly in the Ugu District, eThekwini Metro, and Umgungundlovu District.
Shozi who is also the chief whip of the Ugu District Municipality Council added that there has also been an increase in GBV cases being reported after 72 hours has lapsed, saying that this shows a reluctance by young women to report GBV cases timeously, as well as an unwillingness or incapacity by the state to create a conducive environment for women to report cases with speed.
“This heart-wrenching and absurd state of affairs cannot be allowed to continue. We call on the justice system to impose harsher sentences and no bail for perpetrators of GBV in our communities. We earnestly appeal to people who are exposed to GBV and witness abuse to report these cases to our law enforcement authorities. Victims of gender based violence should be provided with safe shelter and psychosocial support as we believe that cases are withdrawn under duress such as economic dependency on cruel and barbaric men who ought to be isolated from society,” said Shozi.
She added that the KZN Young Women’s Desk also learnt with dismay about the recent killings of four young women over this past weekend, saying that two of the victims were allegedly shot and killed by a police officer who is alleged to have been in relationships with both of them.
Shozi said the other two young women were found dead near Umlazi V Section, adding that the two cases come at a time where young women are confronted by astoundingly high rates of unemployment as well as inequitable participation in the mainstream economy according to published statistics.
“We are gobsmacked to learn that one of the suspects in the recent GBV cases is a police officer who is mandated to protect society against all forms of crime. I reiterate and stress the need for the criminal justice system to impose maximum punishment to police officers who vehemently violate their oath of office. The ANCWL YWD in the province wishes to pass its deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. We believe that no one is above the law and commend the law enforcement agencies for the swift arrest, however we believe that the accused should remain in custody and not be granted bail,” said Shozi.
She added that as young women in KwaZulu-Natal, they urge the ANC to encourage comrades deployed in government to ensure conclusive implementation of all policies that seek to safeguard the holistic wellbeing of all young women in the province.
“The Bill of Rights, which is the cornerstone of democracy in South Africa enshrines the rights of all people and affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom. This endemic scourge of GBV continues to threaten the democratic gains of 1994 by compromising the right to life for women, girls and the LGBTQI+ community. The ANC led government must strengthen the rollout of integrated programmes to protect, promote and fulfil the rights of all people in the province,” said Shozi.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Fever’s Facebook page
