Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs condemns murder of Environmental Affairs employee

The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Mrs Edna Molewa has condemned in the strongest terms the murder of Environmental Affairs employee, Ms Dorris Bongumusa Buthelezi.

Ms Buthelezi was employed at the Department of Environmental Affairs regional office in KwaZulu-Natal. She had been missing since late July this year before her body was found by police in Ndwedwe, KwaZulu-Natal. Her body was located after information was received from a man who had handed himself in to police in connection with her disappearance.

Minister Molewa has offered her deepest sympathies to the family of the late Ms Buthelezi. The Minister also expressed shock on learning of the cold, violent and heartless manner in which Ms Buthelezi met with her demise.

“The murder of Ms Buthelezi is a stark and painful reminder that while significant strides have been made in the emancipation of women in South Africa, much remains to be done in eradicating crimes against women. The murder of one woman or child in this country, is one too many. In this instance, this callous act has extinguished a light that was burning bright and passionately in the environmental field and community,” said the Minister.

The Minister said that she knew there was little that one could say to console the grieving family in such trying times. However, Ms Buthelezi’s loved ones must have faith that justice will be meted out through the judicial process.

“As the police continue with their investigations into this matter, I remain hopeful that the authorities will uncover the truth in this harrowing matter and the perpetrator will be brought to book,” said the Minister.

The untimely passing away of Ms Buthelezi leaves a void in the lives of her loved ones and it is indeed a loss to the Department of Environmental Affairs and the ILembe District Municipality where she was based. She will certainly be sorely missed at home and at work. I do know that the memory of Ms Buthelezi will be imprinted in our minds forever. Her contribution to our society at large has not gone unnoticed.

Minister Molewa went on to implore South Africans to become actively involved in the movement to eliminate violence against women and children in South Africa.

For media enquiries contact:
Albi Modise
Cell: 083 490 2871

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