eMBALENHLE – Mr Muzi Chirwa, Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM) mayor, called on men to fight against the abuse of women and children.
He said the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide must come to an end.
Mr Chirwa shared these sentiments during a prayer session that was held from the GSDM council chambers on Thursday, 25 June.
The session was attended by less than 50 delegates while others joined virtually in line with the lockdown alert level 3 regulations.
Religious leaders from various faith-based organisations joined the GSDM political and administrative leadership during the prayer session which was held under the theme “An Outcry for spiritual Intervention against Covid-19, gender-based violence and femicide”.
Mr Chirwa said the municipality was very concerned by the violence directed at women and children.
“These acts of GBV and femicide are increasing and they are done by some of us in the society, in particular men.
“That is why, as the collective leadership of this municipality, we are calling on men to stop the abusing and killing of women and children.”
He said the municipality has confidence in the law enforcement agencies that they will act swiftly against the perpetrators of gender-based violence.
He called on members of the community to work with them by reporting incidents to the police.
Mr Chirwa raised concerns over the increasing number of Covid-19 infections in the country, particularly in the Gert Sibande District and called on all to remain vigilant.
The religious leaders of the faith-based organisations praised the GSDM for the initiative and pledged their support.
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