South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has asked citizens to speak up against gender-based violence and to report such abuse following a spike in violence against women and femicide.
, Mr Ramaphosa said the “culture of silence” must end, pointing to a rise in violent crime since the country entered level three of the COVID-19 lockdown on 1 June.
“It is a dark and shameful week for us as a nation. Criminals have descended to even greater depths of cruelty and callousness. It simply cannot continue,” Mr Ramaphosa said.
“We note with disgust that at a time when the country is facing the gravest of threats from the pandemic, violent men are taking advantage of the eased restrictions on movement to attack women and children.”
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The statement comes after several femicides, with Mr Ramaphosa naming some of the women who allegedly died at the hands of their partners.
“As we still struggle to come to terms with the brutality inflicted on Tshegofatso Pule, Naledi Phangindawo, Nompumelelo Tshaka and other women in the Eastern Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal whose bodies were found dumped this week, another woman has lost her life,” Mr Ramaphosa said.
Tshegofatso Pule was eight months pregnant at the time of her death. She was stabbed to death and found hanging from a tree in Johannesburg last week.
Naledi Phangindawo, 25, was stabbed to death in Mossel Bay last Saturday. The suspect, who is believed to have been her partner, is now in police custody and is expected to be denied bail.
Nompumelelo Tshaka was 45 when she was murdered. Her body was found on 5 June dumped at an open field in Mthatha in the country's east. Ms Tshaka’s alleged murderer has been arrested.
Other cases over the past week include a child who was found dead in a field, two young women who were shot dead, an elderly woman who was raped, and another woman who was allegedly the victim of a mob killing.
About 51 per cent of women in South Africa have experienced violence or been abused by someone they shared a relationship with, Mr Ramaphosa said in his statement.
Tshegofatso Pule, left, and Naledi Phangindawo. Source: African News Agency
“In far too many cases of gender-based violence, the perpetrators are known to the victim, but they are also known to our communities. That is why we say this is a societal matter, and not a matter of law enforcement alone," the president said.
“Gender-based violence thrives in a climate of silence. With our silence, by looking the other way because we believe it is a personal or family matter, we become complicit in this most insidious of crimes.”
South Africa had one of the strictest lockdowns in the world in response to the coronavirus pandemic. During that time, the sale of alcohol and cigarettes were banned, and people were only allowed to leave their home for essential reasons, such as grocery shopping and for medical help.
Police Minister Bheki Cele has reportedly linked the rise in crime with alcohol being back on the market.
Mr Ramaphosa said he would send ministers and deputy ministers to meet with community leaders in districts across the country to discuss measures to prevent further killings.
“For public faith in the criminal justice system to be maintained, gender-based violence needs to be treated with the urgency it deserves by our communities working together with our police,” he said.
“I urge the SAPS to act swiftly to track down whoever was involved in these murders and ensure there is justice for the murdered women and children. I also urge our communities to end the culture of silence and speak up. In doing so you will be saving lives.”
