About 200 women, men and children from various areas of Pretoria gathered at the State Theatre to demonstrate solidarity with victims of gender-based violence and rape.
Although the protesters did not know who initially organised the march, they walked to the Union Buildings to demonstrate that women would no longer tolerate the scourge of gender-based violence and violent sexual crimes in South Africa.
The marchers said they wanted to help break the cycle of sexual violence and to communicate a single message to men of Pretoria that “enough is enough”.
During the march, a young woman shared her story of having been raped twice.
She said she recently went to the police after being raped by a man she knew.
“I went to the police station to report the guy but I was raped by the same policeman I gave a statement to.”
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Kayla Midegley and Michaela Schmid who were part of the protest said South African police needed to “get their house in order”.
“Police need to start asking the right questions and interrogating the right people,” said Midegley.
She said in conversation with her peers she found out that police would often ask a rape victim what they were wearing or if a victim had brought the rape upon themselves.
“Men don’t have a right to force sex on us if we say ‘no’!”
She said police also had to stop arresting women and men who were protesting peacefully about such crimes.
“We just want our rights back as women.
“If you have not been raped as a woman in South Africa, then it is considered a privilege,” Midegley said.
Nqubeko Msinga also part of the march said misogynists, rapists, murderers and women abusers had no place in the society.
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“It is our responsibility as a nation to stand against these criminals and the law makers’ responsibility to pass harsher sentences in such cases.”
The protest came after the murder and rape of 19-year-old University of Cape Town student Uyinene Mrwetyana at a post office in Clareinch.
The SA post office in a statement condemned the attack in which Mrwetyana was raped and murdered.
Board member Charles Nwaila said: “The post office board was horrified and dismayed by the news of the brutal murder of Mrwetyana.
“What is even more saddening is that our own employee is involved in this heinous crime.”
Nwaila said the murder did not represent the values espoused by the organisation.
“From the moment that the gruesome incident came to light, the SA post office management and staff have been actively involved in assisting the police with the investigation,” Nwaila said.
“Consequent to the minister’s directive, the board convened a dedicated subcommittee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the appointment of the implicated employee.”
He said the board was finalising the investigation and a report of the findings would be submitted to the minister of communications and digital technoloy.
“The scourge of violence against women and children affecting our society has to come to an end.
“The post office is committed to collaborate with all stakeholders to find a sustainable solution.”
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