‘Enough is Enough!’
“Gender-based violence and femicide are some of the most gruesome, and prolific crimes haunting the South African society currently and it is time that women stood up and say – Enough is Enough!”
This was the message of Mayor Gloria Seleka at a Women’s Month event, held at the Multipurpose Centre in Ext 6, Bela-Bela, where she addressed hundreds of women, on Friday, 23 August.
The Bela-Bela Local Municipality Speaker, Cllr Nelly Zikhali, opened the event and welcomed the delegates and attendees. Speakers from different occupations and spheres of life addressed those present, but the message was clear – gender-based violence is a serious issue that hampers development.
Sergeant Ruth Sithole from SAPS said in her address that the main issue faced by the police is the fact that many victims of gender-based violence do not have the will, or are too scared to report such matters to the police. The main reason for this attitude is that the perpetrators of these acts of abuse are usually the only financial support a victim has and they are afraid to lose this.
She assured that there are support structures in SAPS for victims who wish to stay anonymous.
Magistrate Maggie Montane reiterated that poverty, combined with substance abuse remains the main issue faced by society.
She also confirmed that the gender-based violence cases that are officially reported are only a fraction of the real incidents.
From the court’s view, she also stated that police officers must also be better trained and equipped to deal with such issues and in many cases a police officer will simply refer the victim to the court while the police must deal with the matter first. She also cautioned women not to see a Protection Order, as an Eviction Order.
That is not the case as for a person to be denied access to their property many factors need to be considered.
During her speech, Mayor Seleka expressed the hope that other municipalities will also address gender-based violence like the Bela-Bela Municipality.
The overall message came out loud and clear – enough is enough! Women are now stronger than ever and many are in positions of power, to bring about change.
Abuse and violence are never okay and the community has a responsibility towards women. One reported case, is a case of too many. “When a woman bleeds, a nation bleeds,” she concluded.
