NEWCASTLE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY CONDEMNS GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AND CHILD ABUSE
Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) continues to face alarmingly high rates of gender-based violence (GBV). The latest statistics released by the Police Minister revealed that Inanda Police Station leads the nation with the highest number of reported rape cases, followed by Umlazi Police Station.
According to Gender Links for Equality and Justice, overall 36.1% of women have experienced GBV in their lifetime in the KZN province. The most common form of violence is intimate partner violence and rape, which is hugely underreported both to police and to health care facilities.
The Newcastle Local Municipality, stood in solidarity with various stakeholders and the women’s caucus, and convened a solidarity march to condemn the scourge of GBV and child abuse.
“This collective action underscores our commitment to fostering a society that values human rights, dignity, and the well-being of all individuals,” said the Communications Unit.
The march, which was led by Speaker of the Council, Thengi Zulu, and accompanied by the Chief Whip, Zweli Nxumalo, and various councillors, served as a platform to amplify the voices of victims and survivors of GBV and child abuse.
“As a municipality, we are resolute in our commitment to creating a safe and secure environment for all residents, particularly women and children. We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the heinous crimes of GBV and child abuse, and we demand justice for all victims,” said Speaker of Council, Zulu.
The recent case of 7-year-old Cwecwe, who was allegedly raped and sodomised multiple times while at school, highlights the urgent need for collective action to address the alarming rates of GBV and child abuse throughout the country.
The horrific story of the little girl gained traction after her mother took to social media to get justice for her daughter after she claimed that the police were slow to act after Cwecwe was raped. The child was a learner at Bergview College, a private school situated in Matatiele.
To date, thousands of people have marched through streets around the country calling for justice.
This story has once again highlighted that children are not safe in South Africa.
Councilor N.C Dube, representing the Amajuba District Multiparty Women’s Caucus, emphasised the importance of collective action, saying, “We urge all sectors of society to join hands in combating this scourge. We demand that our government, at all levels, takes concrete and decisive action to prevent GBV, protect victims, and hold perpetrators accountable.”
The Newcastle Municipality said that it has reaffirmed its commitment to working tirelessly with all stakeholders to prevent GBV and child abuse, promote a culture of respect and equality, and ensure justice for all victims.
Unfortunately, Cwecwe’s case is not an isolated incident. Newcastle has also witnessed various abuse cases and femicides, both reported and unreported.
“As Newcastle we demand justice for all victims, including Cwecwe, and we call for concrete actions to prevent such heinous crimes,” said the Newcastle Communications Unit.
Have you been a victim of GBV? What are your thoughts on this story? drop a comment, we would love to hear from you.
