Greetings
It was shocking to hear the news of the incident that happened here and in Marrianhill. When I was assigned the task of being the Minister for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities, I decided that it is essential that I visit these families to understand their pain and offer some words of comfort on behalf of the Ministry and Government.
It was only during the period of political violence in this province that we heard incidents like this one where 10 people from three families were killed in two days. This is the most brutal crime committed against women and children I have heard of in recent time. It is a barbaric act that we should all ensure that it never happens anywhere else in our country.
I would like to commend the swift action of the police in investigating and apprehending the suspects related to this case. Their excellent work in investing these incidents quickly has saved lives of other people who would have fallen victims of these criminals. We encourage police to act firmly against criminals and send a strong message to anyone who intends attacking innocent women and children that they will face the full might of the law.
One of the greatest challenges limiting the effectiveness of our criminal justice system is reluctance of our people to provide information and act as witnesses in cases like these.
Yesterday, I visited a 15 year old girl who was drugged and gang raped at her school in Johannesburg. The incident is said to have happened in broad daylight and some people even took video recordings of the incident and shared it with others. However, police were still struggling to get people who are willing to give statements that would enable the police to effect arrests.
Information provided by the community to the police is the most important tool in the fight against crime. Also, the prosecutors need our support as witnesses to be able to convict these criminals and ensure that they rot in jail.
In two weeks, we will be launching the 16 Days of Activism Campaign on No Violence Against Women and Children. The Campaign brings together various government departments and civil society organisations in an effort to mobilise all of our society to act against abuse of women and children.
One of the key events of the this Campaign will be held in this province of KwaZulu-Natal on December 10 – which is International Human Rights Day – to ensure that we mobilise the community of this province act against abuse of women and children.
Our campaign will emphasise the obligation that all of us have to report cases of abuse, to assist the police and social workers in their investigation and to be available to act as witnesses in court to increase probability of a conviction.
The Campaign will also highlight the package of services that Government has been put in place to support survivor of sexual violence. The Ministry for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities is there to monitor that these victim empowerment services are delivered to all women and children in times of need. These include:
- treatment of victims with dignity and respect when they report cases
- ensuring that suspects are urgently apprehended to minimise the chances of further victimisation
- provision of health services including prevention of pregnancy and hiv infection through antiretroviral therapy in cases of rape
- counselling and other psycho-social services
We have to monitor that officials in the Police Service, justice, health and social development deliver these services to women and girl children who have unfortunately fallen victims of crime.
It is mainly for that reason that I am here, to comfort the families and ensure that the comprehensive package of services in terms of crime response and victim empowerment have been provided.
Contac:
Sibani Mngadi
Cell: 082 772 0161
