The Mamlambo family say they want their son to stay in jail. This is after he allegedly raped his two-year-old child on Thursday morning.
The little girl then succumbed to injuries in a local hospital on Friday. The victim’s aunt, Yoliseka Mamlambo says her brother, who is now in police custody, also attacked his mother and siblings before the act.
The family spokesperson, David Mamlambo says the 27-year-old is a danger to the family and the community.
“I don’t think he can stay with people because it’s clear he can repeat this. We say justice must be served and he must stay in jail because he is dangerous,” says Mamlambo.
The Department of Social Development in the Eastern Cape says they will provide funeral arrangements and counselling to the Mamlambo family.
Development MEC, Siphokazi Lusithi says they have started engaging with the family.
“We are bringing small goods as we know there are people coming in and out visiting the family. Since day one we have been providing support to both the Mlambo and Wedu family. We are also working with the municipality and NGO’s to make sure this angel gets a dignified funeral,” ays Lusithi.
Sexual offences in Eastern Cape, a concern
Sexual offences in the Eastern Cape continue to be a matter of serious concern. According to the 2021 South African Police Service crime statistics, the province recorded over 1 500 rape cases between July 2020 and September 2021.
Government and society at large are calling for a joint effort to prevent and curb this scourge. Elderly women and girls continue to live in fear, in anticipation of the next strike.
A church situated at Quzini village, outside Qonce, is associated with wrongdoings. Its leader is in custody on allegations of rape and human trafficking. It’s alleged that the cleric has been sexually molesting church congregants since last year. The incidents were reported in September 2021.
The unsuspecting community was shocked to learn about the perpetual wrongdoing inside the church in question.
“People were so angry so much that they don’t want him. The youth say they don’t want to mix with him anyway others want government to invalidate his practice. If he’s got a license, it must be taken. Some of them were thinking of destroying that home but we said that’s not about that, we must not take the law into our hands,” says Local Chairperson Themba Qambatha,
Police Minister cautions police against sending GBV victims away :
Lusikisiki, Mthatha and Bizana police stations have seen a sharp increase in the number of reported cases. Government is calling for a compound approach to tackle gender-based violence.
“It’s really a point of concern but we will work with SAPS, CPF and the community because we can only fight GBV and any offences like that one when we work with communities and family members,” says MEC for Safety and Liaison Tikana-Gxotiwe.
Women’s rights groups say society needs to change the way it looks at women and the issues affecting them.
“What we need is to have consistent interventions that change the attitudes and behaviours of men who are toxic in our society. Toxic masculinity needs to change and also the status of women in society has to be raised. We have to value women,” says Dr Lesely Anne Foster, Director of Masimanyane Women’s Rights International.
Murder cases have also jumped from 917 from July to September in 2020 to 1 000 in the same period this year.
