Cabinet has called for a wider societal response to gender-based violence and femicide as the number of women killed in Gauteng rose to 13, following a series of murders in Ekurhuleni.
Speaking during Tuesday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said Cabinet had joined the nation in condemning and mourning the brutal murders of nine women in various parts of Ekurhuleni, with the number of women killed in Gauteng having risen to 13.
Cabinet welcomed the arrest of four people in connection with three of the murders.
The four remain in custody after being denied bail in three separate court appearances.
Ntshavheni said Cabinet supported President Cyril Ramaphosa’s directive for a multidisciplinary investigation team led by the South African Police Service (SAPS) to speedily arrest and prosecute those responsible for the killings.
Ntshavheni said the investigation was continuing and the team was pursuing several people of interest.
Cabinet calls for societal action
Ntshavheni said the rise in gender-based violence, particularly femicide, required action from men, families, communities and society more broadly.
She said femicide could not be tolerated and that the intentional killing of women by loved ones or people close to them required a collective response.
“Because the murder of women intentionally by their loved ones or people close to them cannot be tolerated by any society, by any community. And it requires all our efforts to respond.”
Ntshavheni said law enforcement also had to ensure those responsible were found swiftly and faced prosecution.
Government points to tougher laws
Ntshavheni said the country’s laws had been amended to ensure gender-based violence and femicide crimes were dealt with more harshly, including provisions allowing for the denial of bail.
The government would continue working to promote the security and well-being of women and ensure women and children were safe in their communities.
“Let us all, men and women, take a stand against violence, against women, and play our part in ending the scourge of gender-based violence.”
Cabinet also called on anyone with information about a crime to report it to the police.
Crime Stop can be contacted at 086 00 10111, while the 24-hour Gender-Based Violence Command Centre can be reached at 0800 428 428.
She said the Minister for Social Development and the Minister for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities would also brief Cabinet on calls received through the relevant support mechanisms.
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