Gauteng Community Safety MEC condemns violence against woman

The Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane, expressed concerns over the assault of a woman following protest action outside Luthuli House in Johannesburg on Monday.

Pictures and videos of a man wearing an African National Congress (ANC) branded T-shirt emerged on social media after he pulled the woman off a bakkie and violently attacked her. The man, Thabiso Setona, is believed to be a secretary of the inner city ANC branch in Johannesburg.

The incident caused public outrage and has been condemned by Nkosi-Malobane.

“I condemn with contempt the assault of a woman during protest action outside Chief Albert Luthuli’s House. I am very concerned about the rising number of assault cases, especially against women.

“I am deeply concerned about such barbaric behaviour, more especially meted out by a person of his stature who is expected to champion the rights of women in the province, particularly within his constituency.

“It is also unfortunate that this incident happened while members of the public and some members of the police watched helplessly. It is a constitutional right for members of our communities to organise themselves and engage in a peaceful protest, but once that right is violated, it becomes a crime.”

Nkosi-Malobane added that contrasting political views give no one the right to abuse women.

“Members of the public have avenues they can explore to raise their concerns instead of resorting to violence and the abuse of women. I have instructed the law enforcement agencies to investigate this case accordingly and ensure that justice is served.”