The brutal killings of women have sparked a public outcry from the church fraternity, politicians and women who are mostly targets, in a country where a woman is killed every four hours.
In the North West, the South African Christian Ministers Council has expressed shock, in the wake of the brutal killings of women, as the country commemorates women’s month.
This comes after 29-year-old Palesa Maruping was found hanged at Khuma township and a 24-year-old woman in Ganyesa was beaten to death by her boyfriend with a spade four days before Women’s Day. Her body was found underneath a bed.
Chairperson for SACMIC, Bishop Matebesi says, “As we commemorate Women’s month it’s a shame that these acts of merciless people continue to undermine the dignity of women as well as deprive them of their right to life as enshrined in the Constitution of our country. We will organise a dialogue with all the relevant stakeholders with a view to address these serious challenges.”
Over 200 arrested in KwaZulu-Natal for GBV related crimes
In June, police in KwaZulu-Natal arrested 239 suspects in connection with gender-based violence (GBV) crimes.
Police spokesperson Thembeka Mbele says the charges include statutory rape, kidnapping, abduction and rape among other serious offences.
Mbele says the arrests show the success of the KwaZulu-Natal Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units.
“The KwaZulu-Natal Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units are continuing to make the province a safer and better place for women and children by putting perpetrators of GBV in jail,” says Mbele.
