Traditional leaders condemn violence in the country

The National House of Traditional Leaders (NHTL) condemned the disturbing incidents of violence against women and girls, which remain a persistent threat in the country.

The kidnapping of six year old Amy-Lee De Jager, in Vanderbiljlpark, on September 2 outside her school and the murder of the 19-year-old student, Uyinene Mrwetyana, are some of the examples of the gender-based violence.

The NHTL joins the families and the country in mourning the untimely loss of innocent lives. “It is sad that the current violence inflicted on women and children is among the countless number of other women and girls who are victims of gender-based violence, yet remain unknown in fear of the perpetrators and even society. Violence specifically directed against the vulnerable in our society cannot be left to continue unchallenged,” said Ikosi Sipho Mahlangu. In a media statement, Mahlangu said statistics indicate that 30 women were killed in August; a month dedicated to women.

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“This situation requires nothing else except to condemn it to the strongest terms it deserves. We cannot allow and keep quiet when our women and girl children are murdered and abused. This must stop at once,” said Mahlangu.

“There are many ways of resolving disputes and conflicts as opposed to resorting to killing. Real men do not abuse or kill. We condemn all these barbaric acts and call on all South Africans to unite against sexism and any kind of abuse,” said Mahlangu.

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“We have also noted unacceptable acts of looting, assault of people, destruction of property and even murder in various parts of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). Some of these criminal acts are wrongly labelled xenophobia or Afrophobia. South African are not xenophobic and have lived side by side with foreign nationals for years without any such violence. The institution of traditional leadership is aware of issues on the ground as a results of poverty, but no one has a right to take the law into their hands because they have a complaint or grievance,” he adds.

“We call on all South African citizens to unite and work with the South African law enforcement agencies, and for the criminal justice system to legally deal with all issues of immigration and violations of the law by both South Africans and foreign nationals,” he added. “We call upon all leadership formation to act against such acts. South Africa is a predominantly religious country. We call upon all the leaders of churches to preach peace and tolerance. We call upon all the leadership structures and people in the country to promote, protect and give guidance to those who are driven by the dark forces that want to demonize the people of South Africa,” concludes Mahlangu.