Premier Modise welcomes Cosatu-NWest’s support for united action against gender based violence
North West Premier Thandi Modise has welcomed COSATU-North West’s support to her call for communities to unite in action against gender based violence.
“The resolve by COSATU Provincial Campaign Committee held on Saturday gives us confidence that the Anti-Rape Million Signature Campaign will reach every workplace for perpetrators of the scourge of rape and gender based violence to be exposed and brought to book,” Premier Modise said.
Modise called on faith based organisations, women formations, children’s right groups and men rights groups to join the COSATU picket to be held on the 7 February 2014 at the Swartruggens Magistrates Court to highlight the scourge of gender based violence and amplify the call for no bail for perpetrators.
“Enough is enough. The escalating incidents of gender based violence are calling for intensified effort to rid out communities of the twin scourges of rape and gender based violence,” she stressed.
The picket is to coincide with the formal bail hearing application 33-year-old Eduard Pretorious arrested as a suspect for the gruesome murder of Maria Mathe.
Twenty-five-year old Mathe was found near the Swartruggens shopping complex by a passerby on Sunday afternoon. Her abdomen had been cut open and her heart and lungs removed.
“Her face was smashed with a stone... Her breasts were cut off and her private parts slightly cut with an unknown sharp instrument,” Captain Pelonomi Makau said at the time.
Incidents of gender based violence experienced in the province include that of a Blydeville woman who was brutally murdered by her 32 year-old boyfriend.
Police were allegedly called to the scene, where on arrival they found the bodies of the 22-year-old woman and her daughter with blood all over them. The woman was pregnant and her womb was cut to remove the foetus and its throat was slit with a knife.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele, Spokesperson
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
