This was during the Mpumalanga Provincial Government launch of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign for 2020, at KaBokweni Community Hall. In the Ehlanzeni area, KaBokweni has the highest number of cases of GBV, according to the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison.
It is followed by Masoyi, Calcutta, Acornhoek and Tonga. Mtshweni-Tsipane said she believes GBV can be conquered by unity.
“We have got to the point when we are unable to bear the increase of GBV towards our kids and women in Mpumalanga.
“We are really concerned because this makes public look down upon the people in this province and it also decreases the dignity of the province that we all love.
“This is the province that we call the place of the rising sun and it is said to bring good things to our lives, but when GBV increases we are no longer receiving the sunrise that we want, it brings darkness to the families and communities at large,” she said.
“A few weeks ago we learnt of a very bad incident that was shocking. It took place in Zwelisha. A father took his two kids and their mother. He poured paraffin over them, left them inside the house and set it ablaze. “As we speak the mother is fighting for her life in hospital. They are treating her physical wounds so that she gets well.
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However, she will have a wound that will never heal inside of her, just her knowing she will never see her children ever again. “The last sound of her kids crying will always play in her head forever. She will recall how their last cry sounded as they took their last breath.”
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The premier said, “I believe that men realise the damage that they are causing. It is not about the physical pain, it is about my inner soul and inner peace which is damaged every day and it shall never be recovered”.
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