The department will lend a helping hand to a 79-year old Ngcobo rape survivor, when the MEC for Human Settlements, Safety and Liaison, Helen Sauls-August, hands over a house to her. This is part of a broader programme to raise awareness against the scourge of violence and abuse against women and children, who are considered to be the most vulnerable groups in society.
The brave elderly woman’s story made headlines when her ordeal appeared on SABC’s Cutting Edge programme. In 2007 the woman and her two grandchildren between ages of 10 and 12 years old were attacked and raped. The grandmother currently does not have a house and is staying at her brother’s house in the same village. The house she had was destroyed by the heavy storm of September 2013. The department in partnership with Engcobo Local Municipality joined forces to determine an intervention plan.
The community of Manzana in Ngcobo, where the grandmother lives, decided to take action and marched against crime in February 2013, handing over a petition to the MEC.
The programme of the day will include an Imbizo with the community as well as the launch of village committees to assist in the fight against crime. The programme forms part of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children.
The media is invited to capture the programme to be held as follows:
Date: 3 December 2013
Venue: Manzana A/A Ngcobo
Time: 8h00 (house handover)
10h00 am (Imbizo)
For enquiries and confirmations:
Phiwokuhle Soga
Cell: 071 208 9683
Lwandile Sicwetsha
Spokesperson
Cell: 071 671 1770
Tel: 043 711 9679/ 9736
