The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) wishes to applaud the swift arm of justice in the recent conviction of the perpetrators who horrendously murdered a grandmother and her four children in Sigubu village in Qhokana, Ngqeleni, Eastern Cape last year. The suitable and prompt legal address to such heinous acts of violence sparked by allegations of “witchcraft” is what is required to douse the raging fire of 'witchcraft killings' in the province. The judgment set down by the Honourable Judge Lusindiso Pakade in Mthatha High court is appreciated as it provides an apt deterrent to potential perpetrators.
The Commission strongly condemns the murdering of elderly women in the rural areas of Eastern Cape. Such gross acts of gender based violence fuelled by “witchcraft accusations” in turn fuels gender inequality within the province. The Commission supports the viewpoint of the province’s Premier Honourable Noxolo Kiviet as delineated in her International Women’s Day address 2011.
“…we must remember the regrettable incidents in the North Eastern parts of this province where elderly women accused of witchcraft are murdered. This, definitely, is not a defining characteristic of a society that respects the rights of women and accords them dignity”.
Drastic transformation of our society and belief systems is required for us to truly attain gender equality in South Africa. The legal precedent set in the aforementioned criminal case is a noteworthy step in the attainment of a society free from the scourge of gender based violence.
