[WATCH] Women of the city unite in prayer against GBV
The women gathered at the scene of the double murder of Makoena Leshabane (46) and Tebogo Mphuti (35) to pray for the safety of women and healing in the province.
POLOKWANE – Earlier today, members of the Women Taking Back Safety (WTBS) movement as well as the public, gathered in Magna Via at the scene of a recent double murder, to pray for the safety of all woman and children.
Makoena Leshabane (46) and Tebogo Mphuti (35) were shot at pointblank range on Saturday morning while in the process of viewing vacant properties for business purposes. The women in attendance each brought a long stemmed flower to be placed at the scene in remembrance.
The women gathered in a circle and bowed their heads in a prayer against the ongoing gender-based violence crimes committed throughout the country.
The prayer was led by one of the founding members Snowy Kennedy. “The Women Taking Back Safety movement is the beginning of great things for our country. We are small in number but together we have the power to fight against the injustices.”
Steering member, Thulamsindo Rapotu addressed the attendees on the purpose of the #prayercircle.
Another prayer session will be held on Saturday, 24 October from 16:00 to 18:00 in Boom street (between Devenish and Exelsior Street).
Last week, WTBS members handed over a memorandum of demands to the Department of Community Safety, calling for law enforcement to beef up their patrols and visibility in order to stop murders. The memorandum was accepted by the Chief Director for Police, Roland Stander; the Director for Social Crime Prevention, Mercy Mogotsi and the Deputy Director for Partnerships, Fundzani Dali.
Read more: Women’s movement demands NO bail for rapists, murders, child abusers
In accepting the memorandum, Stander said the department will get back to the movement within 14 days on the matter.
