MEC Khoza, leadership of Richmond Municipality and religious sector host a massive prayer in Hopewell
KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC, Mrs Nonhlanhla Khoza, together with the leadership of Richmond Municipality and interfaith leaders have yesterday led a massive prayer organised at the homestead of a 46-year-old woman and two grandchildren who were hacked to death in the Hopewell area's Ward 03.
A 73-year-old Themba Mkhize was arrested on Monday following the discovery of the bodies of his partner and grandchildren. It is alleged that the woman had an argument with Mkhize, who retaliated by hacking the three to death with a bush knife.
“We are deeply pained by these killings of women and children in our province. This killing is an indication of a huge anger directed at women and children. There is no reason to kill people because you have a disagreement. The areas of Hopewell have experienced a number of the incidents where women and children are murdered,” she said.
MEC Khoza further said they want all leaders of the society to rally behind government in promoting and protecting women and children's rights.
She said the level of gender-based violence incidents are an indication that the province of KwaZulu-Natal had a serious problem and everybody had a responsibility to fight the scourge.
“We need to be out there in all corners, dealing with these incidents as a nation. Gender-based violence is a problem for all of us. As the Department responsible for the protection of vulnerable groups, we have formed partnerships with different sectors, including NPOs, religious leaders, traditional leaders, healers, and Santaco to fight the scourge of GBV in the province. We want more people to play their role in fighting the scourge," said MEC Khoza.
The incident comes hot on the heels of the incident involving a mysterious death of a woman, whose body was found in her house in Ward 4, with her hands were tied together.
