Latchminarain is the current provincial MEC for public works, roads and transport.
She was in court to give evidence. About a year ago, she laid a complaint that she had allegedly been assaulted by her former husband. As she gave evidence, some young people led by Themba Mpila, an ANCYL member who also serves as ward councillor, staged a peaceful protest outside the court calling for justice for Latchminarain.
The case was postponed to June 25.
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“We are here to support Cde Mohita who is a victim of gender-based violence. We are not here to support her just because she is
an MEC or a high-profile person, but simply because she is just a victim of GBV, and as young people of the ANC, we are totally
against GBV or any kind of abuse,” said Mpila.
Mpila stressed that the ANC is in the process of resuscitating the Youth League, and if he is elected to the helm to lead these young people, he aims to champion the fight against GBV. “As members of the Youth League and of society in general, we are tired of burying our sisters ANC Youth League members protest outside the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court. and mothers who die at the hands of men.
The scourge of GBV has reached boiling point. So many women have suffered, many have been brutally assaulted and killed.
What is more painful is that many are killed by men whom they know and trust.
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It is our responsibility as young men and all men in South Africa to say, not now and not in our name.
We must fight to defend our women. We must make it our responsibility as young men to support any women, every woman who has been subjected to this kind of abuse,” said Mpila.
He said they wanted to inspire other victims of abuse to speak out, knowing full well they would be supported the same way they supported Latchminarain.
Mpila stressed they believe in the country’s justice system, motivation enough to inspire victims of abuse to speak out and report cases.
“As young people we demand that the verdict always favour the victims so that it inspires others to come forwards, because there are many who are subjected to abuse but are scared to come out, because they don’t believe in the justice system.
“This case must be the epitome of bringing confidence to all the women that are abused, so they may now there is justice,” said Mpila.
Mpila is the favoured candidate to take the chairpersonship of the Youth League in the Ehlanzeni region.
