Government condemns the continual senseless killing of innocent defenceless women and children
The Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has expressed shock at the brutal killing of Tshegofatso Pule, who went missing on 4 June 2020 and was found stabbed and hanging from a tree in the veld. Pule was 8 months pregnant.
Tshegofatso’s body was found close to Florida Lake in Roodepoort, on the West Rand. According to a relative of the family, it is alleged that Tshegofatso was last seen entering a cab called for her by her boyfriend, last week Thursday night. That was the last time she was seen alive.
Tshego’s murder comes at a moment when South Africans are seeking justice for Naledi Phangindawo, 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.
The continual brutal killing of women and children at the hands of those they love, is despicable and deplorable. This calls 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 2nd virtual meeting on 4 June 2020. The main purpose of this meeting was to deliberate on processes for establishment of the National Council for Gender Based Violence & Femicide and will 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 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 and will provide strategic leadership in implementing the NSP, facilitate resourcing, coordination and accountability in responding to GBVF.
The NSP is government and civil society's multi-sectoral strategic framework to realise a South Africa free from gender-based violence and femicide. It recognises all violence against women – across age, location, disability, sexual orientation, sexual and gender identity, nationality and other diversities – as well as violence against children.
“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, and 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.
Media Enquiries:
Ms Mmabatho Ramompi (Media Liaison to Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane)
Cell: 076 480 3513
E-mail: mmabatho.ramompi@women.gov.za
Mr Shalen Gajadhar (Director: Communications, Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities)
Cell: 060 979 4235
E-mail: shalen.gajadhar@women.gov.za
Know and Share these contact details:
GBV Command Centre: 0800 428 428 / *120*7867# from any cell phone
Persons with disabilities, SMS ‘help’ to 31531
Women Abuse Helpline: 0800 150 150
Child line: 0800 055 555
SAPS Crime Stop: 0860 10111
GBVF-related service complaints (SAPS): 0800 333 177/
complaintsnodalpoint@saps.gov.za
National AIDS Helpline: 0800 012 322
National Human Trafficking Helpline: 0800 222 777
Suicide Helpline: 0800 567 567
National Department of Health: https://www.health.gov.za
National Institute of Communicable Diseases: https://www.nicd.ac.za
World Health Organisation: https://www.who.int
Coronavirus Hotline: 0800 029 999
