WATCH: My sister was beaten so badly that she became paralysed – Mbalula
Speaking at a press conference today, the minister said women abusers should be held accountable the same way men who default on child maintenance are.
Police Minister Fikile Mbalula. Photo: ANA.
As the country shines the spotlight on gender-based violence, Minister of Police Fikile Mbalula has recounted his own tale of experiencing abuse after his sister was beaten by her lover.
So badly beaten was she, that she became paralysed.
“(As) I grew up, my sisters were abused. I would visit my sister over the holidays and this guy who was providing for my sister … He would promise to buy me school shoes. This guy (nearly) beat my sister to death. I had to continue visiting him for Christmas clothes. I left (when he beat her) I had to seek for help in the middle of the night. My sister was beaten to the point where she was paralysed,” said Mbalula.
SA has had to come to grips with the spate of violence against women. Karabo Mokoena, 22, was killed and her body burned beyond recognition at the end of April. Her boyfriend, Sandile Mantsoe, has been arrested and is due to appear in court on Thursday.
Four women were murdered and their bodies dumped in one weekend in Soweto two weeks ago. Suspects have been arrested and are set to appear for the crimes, while numerous reports of women being sexually assaulted and killed have surfaced.
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