Violence against towards women and children in South Africa continues, with perpetrators showing no mercy to their vulnerable victims.
This follows the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane expressing shock at the brutal killing of Tshegofatso Pule.
Tshegofatso went missing on June 4 and was recently found close to Florida Lake in Roodepoort. She had been stabbed and was found hanging from a tree in a veld. Tshegofatso was 8 months pregnant.
According to a relative, it is alleged that Tshegofatso was last seen entering a cab on June 4. The cab had allegedly been called for her by her boyfriend.
Nkoana-Mashabane says Tshegofatso murder comes at a moment when South Africans are seeking justice for Naledi Phangindawo, who was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend.
“This is just saddening and is a shame on our society. We should never allow gender-based violence to become a norm in our communities. How many more women, young girls and children must live with this constant fear of being attacked and violated? Women should not have to protect themselves from men. They have the right to feel safe,” said Minister Nkoana-Mashabane.
Furthermore, Nkoana-Mashabane emphasises that the continual brutal killing of women and children is both despicable and deplorable.
She believes these crimes call for heightened responsiveness, greater awareness and practical measures to assist women who find themselves in vulnerable situations.
As part of government’s constant intervention to fight the scourge of Gender-Based Violence, The Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) held its second virtual meeting on June 4.
The main purpose of this meeting was to deliberate on processes for the establishment of the National Council for Gender-Based Violence & Femicide.
It will also support the IMC to fast-track this work. The IMC comprises of the Ministers of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Police; Finance; Justice and Correctional Services; Social Development; Public Service and Administration.
It is incumbent for the IMC to move with speed and urgently establish the National Council for Gender-Based Violence & Femicide which will be tasked with the implementation of the NSP, and take recommendations made at the 2018 Presidential Summit against GBVF forward.
The National Council will be an independent and non-partisan Advisory Body. It will provide strategic leadership in implementing the NSP, facilitate resourcing, coordination and accountability in responding to GBVF.
The NSP is a government and civil society’s multi-sectoral strategic framework to realise a South Africa free from gender-based violence and femicide.
“Government will do everything possible to ensure justice is served and calls upon men in our society to stand up against GBV. Violence against women and children is unacceptable and we should not allow vile tendencies to continue during such a difficult time for the country, or ever,” said Minister Nkoana-Mashabane.
Minister Nkoana-Mashabane called for swift action on the part of SAPS to ensure the perpetrators are arrested. Nkoana-Mashabane also called for the Department of Justice and Correctional Services to ensure any person convicted on charges of gender-based violence is shown no leniency.
The Department wishes to send its condolences to the family and friends of Tshegofatso and Naledi.
