MUST READ: Women in uniform march through the CBD in response to rapes and murders
JOBURG – A march was held in the Johannesburg CBD on 9 June as a call to action for a firm stand against the slaying of women and children following a reported increase in the number of rape and murder cases.
Tshepiso Mametela
A march was held at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown on 9 June as a call to action to the broader community for a firm stand against the slaying of women and children.
According to organisers, the numbers of rape and and murder cases, involving women and children, have increased. “For some unknown reason, we’ve found that the brutality, especially towards women and children, has increased in the recent past,” Brigadier Ivan Perumal, Station Commander at Johannesburg Central Police Station told the publication. “Despite menfolk knowing that violence against women and children is not acceptable, it is still happening.”
DOWN AND DIRTY: Marchers get on all fours in protest over women and child abuse during a march in the CBD. Photo: Tshepiso Mametela
Johannesburg Central Cluster Commander Major-General Ronnie Rajin said that such acts of brutality are unacceptable. He added that the police were, however, proactively on the lookout for perpetrators, including human traffickers. “Members go out on visible patrols and check out vehicles allegedly transporting children who have been kidnapped. We also have social awareness programmes to reinforce the police’s stance on such atrocious acts of criminality because such vile crimes do indeed exist within our communities.”
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Minentle Lekhatha’s (5) lifeless body was found under a bridge on the N2 highway in Strand, Western Cape; Courtney Pieters (3) from Elsiesriver in Cape Town, was found dumped in an open field in Epping Industria after being raped and murdered and Karabo Mokoena (22), whose charred remains were found in an open veld in Lyndhurst, Johannesburg, have, in recent times, been the subjects of gross gender-based brutality, which, according to Edna Mamonyane, spokesperson for the Metro police, requires swift action by law enforcement.
ONE VOICE: Law enforcement marchers gather in solidarity against the recent spate of rapes and murders of women and children in the Johannesburg CBD. Photo: Tshepiso Mametela
“As women in uniform, we’re saying ‘enough is enough’ on the killings of women and children. It worries us that it might happen to us, our sisters or cousins,” said Mamonyane.
“We need to make sure that we stand up as well.” She also encouraged women in abusive relationships to come forward. “Anyone who is in an abusive relationship should come and report it. As women in uniform, we need to take it seriously and support such people. For anyone who thinks that women and children are weaker, as women in uniform our message is, you’ve come to the wrong place, because here we are standing up for them.”
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Do you think enough is being done to end the scourge of violence against women and children? Share your thoughts by adding 079 439 5345 to your WhatsApp contact list and send us a message using #ViolenceAgainstWomenAndChildren.
