The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) strongly condemns the violence and assault that Mrs Ester Mankge suffered at the hands of securities at the CB Stores in Jane Furse, Limpopo. The CGE has also noted that three of those who committed these acts of gender based violence against Mrs Mankge have since been granted bail and the other two are awaiting disciplinary processes. As per its mandate the CGE will monitor the court case and make available its findings in due course.
The CGE is of the firm belief that if Mrs Mankge has committed wrongful acts, she should have been reported to the police rather than kicked throughout her body, including her genitals, for an hour. As the CGE, we believe that the actions of the security guards, in addition to violating the rights of an individual, were criminal in nature and the police should investigate thoroughly and, if found guilty by the court, those involved in this criminal act should be prosecuted accordingly.
“Gender based violence has reached a crisis proportion in South Africa, despite our efforts in raising awareness on issues of violence against women and children. If found guilty those that committed these atrocities should be given harsher sentences so as to serve as deterrent to others that we have laws in this country, wherein if incidents of wrong doings occur rather to become law unto yourselves, as seen in the case of Mrs Mankge, report to the police,” said Mr Mfanozelwe Shozi, Chairman of the Commission for Gender Equality.
The violence against Mrs Mankge calls for greater commitment from society in general to finding more effective interventions to eliminate the scourge of violence against women and children.
As these security guards, who allegedly also took money from Mrs Mankge, appear before the court, the CGE appeals to the public to respect the judicial process and maintain calm.
