The Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Ms Lulu Xingwana, has expressed her sadness at the death of a community builder and human rights activist, Ms Agnes Ramagoshi. Her husband is reportedly facing a charge for allegedly dousing her with petrol and setting her alight.
Minister Xingawna said: “We urge the law-enforcement agencies to do everything in their power to ensure that Ms Ramagoshi and other victims of crime get justice. We have confidence that those found guilty of this heinous crime will face the full wrath of our criminal justice system”.
Minister Xingwana has also expressed serious concern at the rising trend of domestic violence and women abuse. Cases of murder of women increased by 5,6% and sexual offences against children increased by 2,6% in 2010/11 compared to 2009/10.
“We are also confident that the strengthening of law enforcement measures, particularly the re-establishment of Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) units within the SAPS will assist in turning the tide against these crimes”.
“We are concerned at the growing reports of women who continue to die at the hands of their partners and children being killed or abused by people who were supposed to protect and love them. Many of these cases point to a deterioration of the moral fibre of our society. We urge members of our communities to join hands with government in order to help defeat the scourge of child and women abuse”.
During the launch of the Women’s Month, the Minister announced that government was taking the war against gender-based violence to a higher level. Cabinet approved the establishment of the National Council Against Gender-based Violence, which is a high-level multi-sectoral national response to the scourge.
“Led by the Deputy President, we are confident that the work of the Council will lead to a significant reduction in the incidents of violence against women and children. The National Council Against Gender-Based Violence will be launched on the 25th August 2012”.
“We reiterate our call to our courts to ensure that they impose the heaviest possible sentence against those found guilty of women and child abuse. This will send a clear message to all would-be perpetrators that our society and justice system will not tolerate these crimes”.
Minister Xingwana calls for united action against women abuse
