Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane condemns murder of two matric learners in KwaZulu-Natal
Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has described the recent killing of two matric girls in Ngwangwane Village, in the Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal as horrendous and sickening.
It is reported that the perpetrator entered the house where the girls were renting and murdered them, dismembering their bodies with an axe. Minister Nkoana-Mashabane said South Africa has reached extreme proportions of gender-based violence (GBVF) and women are no longer safe.
“My heart goes out to the parents and families of the young victims who lost their lives in such a brutal way. I pray that God may comfort their hearts and heal them from such a painful loss,” said Minister Nkoana-Mashabane.
“It cannot be that we continue to live like this. Women are not safe in society and this has been proven time and time again. Our society is experiencing a massive crisis of GBV. The rate at which women and children are being abused, raped, mutilated and murdered is unfathomable.”
“We need to continue to recognize and address gender-based violence as a human rights violation. The scourge of widespread and systematic gender-based violence against women is deeply rooted in discrimination against women and continues to shape the lives of women in South Africa, with devastating impact not only on the victims, but also on democracy itself.”
“We thank SAPS in KZN for acting swiftly and apprehending the suspect. We plead that the legal processes and successful conviction of the suspect happens as soon as possible because we do not have a place for murderers, abusers and rapists in our society. This will also bring justice to the family and friends of the victims,” concluded Minister Nkoana-Mashabane.
For media related queries:
Mr Shalen Gajadhar (Director: Communications, Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities) 060 979 4235
For media engagements with Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane contact Ms Siya Xolelwa Dwesini on 081 030 910
