The Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana strongly condemns the attack of the Cape Town man with a visual disability and also the 9 year old child who was raped and stabbed in front of her 4 year old brother.
“We strongly condemn and will not tolerate any act of harassment, intimidation or violence against any member of society especially women, children, people with disabilities, says Xingwana”.
We understand that City of Cape Town has by-laws and enforcement of such is welcomed; but we are deeply concerned with the unacceptable conduct and behaviour of the law enforcement officers in enforcing the law. Attacking citizens is not law enforcement and such violations will not be tolerated.
We welcome the investigation that will be conducted and will ensure that justice is served. People with disabilities like all of us, deserve to be treated with respect and dignity and should not suffer any discrimination whatsoever especially at the hands of those that are supposed to uphold and protect their rights.
We are also appealing to those that have information about the recent attack on a 9 year old girl to work with the police to bring the perpetrators o account. We have noted with concern the fact that these crimes are committed by groups or gangs of men who break into homes and prey on children.
It is our duty as a society to uphold and protect the rights of women, children and people with disabilities. South Africa is a democratic state with a constitution which respects the rights of all members of society without any form of discrimination according to sex, creed, and so forth. It is our responsibility as communities to respect and value the rights of every citizen.
Let us together uphold the values, principles and lessons taught by Tata Nelson Mandela of protecting and safe guarding our children especially at this time when we are all celebrating him and what he stood for. I quote” The can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way it treats its children”. Nelson Mandela.
For media interviews kindly contact:
Phuti Mabelebele
Cell: 076 402 7521
Tel: 012 359 0222
Email: Phuti@dwcpd.gov.za
