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By OBAKENG MAJE  

North West Provincial Coronavirus Command Council (NWPCCC) said there is a need to raise alarm as a concerted effort to prevent the possible second wave of infections. This comes after the public’s evident of non-adherence to the COVID-19 preventative measures, particularly the wearing of face masks.

The North West Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro who also serves as the NWPCCC chairperson has urged the law enforcement officers to keep a close watch on this behaviour. Mokgoro said the council reflected on this observation during its virtual meeting, which was attended by Ministers and Deputy Ministers deployed to the province as National District Champions, the MECs, Chairperson of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders, Chairperson of SALGA, Heads of Department and Administrators.

“While we note a steady decrease in the number of new and active infections in the province since August, we are concerned about the apparent public complacency, particularly on the use of masks. We need to caution the public that COVID-19 is not over and we have a collective responsibility to prevent a possible resurgence.

“The Command Council also welcomed the Epidemiology report from the department of Health which showed that the province’s recovery rate is now at 91%, and that there is a further decrease in hospitalisation cases which were at 180 as at 2 October,” he said.

Mokgoro further said the ICU and high care numbers were ranging between 5 and 23 during the same period. He said the Command Council welcomed the department’s resolve to continue educating the public about the significance of adhering to the preventative measures as well as strengthening the current strong focus on contact tracing.

“In support of this contact tracing effort, the Command Council encourages members of the public to download the COVID-19 Alert App launched recently by the national Department of Health, which lets users know when they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

“We urge the public to make a difference by adding their phones to the fight against the spread of COVID-19 using this contact tracing technology. On the use of available quarantine sites, the Command Council agreed to keep all 13 government quarantine facilities across the province open, this to ensure availability of about 500 beds when a need arises,” said Mokgoro. 

 He said the Command Council also stressed the need for parents to allow learners to go back to school in order to avoid unintended consequences of an increase in school drop-outs. Mokgoro added that the meeting called on other community structures including the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders to forge hands with the department of Education and strategically encourage learners to go back to school. 

“We urge members of the public to continue observing the Coronavirus prevention measures which include the washing of hands with water and soap regularly or use of an alcohol based sanitiser, wearing a face masks when in public places, keeping physical distance and covering the mouth with a flexed elbow when coughing or sneezing.

“We reiterate that through the consistent practicing of these hygiene tips, the fight to flatten the curve will be achieved and that COVID-19 will be finally defeated,” said Mokgoro.

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By STAFF REPORTER

Lindiwe Nkgobang said she is grateful after her rapist was sentenced to life imprisonment by Vryburg Regional Court recently. Nkgobang (23) said even though the case dragged for ten years before reaching its completion, she can breathe a sigh of relief.

“I was only 13 years when I was raped. We were chilling with friends from one of the joints in Vryburg when I decided to go home. My friends refused to go and I requested two of the young boys around to accompany me.

“Unfortunately, we came across two gentlemen who chased those boys away. I was left vulnerable as they dragged me to the toilets of an abandoned building and raped me,” she said.

Nkgobang said she was threatened with a knife and she was raped twice by the perpetrators. She said the first man used condom and Dikabelo Masiza who was sentenced to life imprisonment did not use it.

“It was heart-throbbing that the court acquitted the first accused. However, I still maintain that he raped me and I will not rest until he is also found guilty. They assaulted me during the ordeal and the incident has put me through severe depression in my life.

Masiza (32) had previous cases such as robbery, theft and being in possession of drugs. The court instructed that he should be deemed unfit to possess a firearm and his name be included in the sexual offenders’ register.

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) regional secretary in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Justice Dabampe said: “We are happy that Lindiwe has finally found justice after 10 years of trial. Although the other accused was found not guilty, the other one was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment.

“This is after they raped her ten years ago. Mind you, she was only 13 years old. Indeed, ten long years to victory in Vryburg Magistrate’s Court. Gender-Based Violence (GBV) does not have space in our society. 

Dabampe added that the perpetrator has been convicted previously for theft, robbery, and being in possession of drugs and he is a well-known monster that has been terrorising the community for quite some time.”

Meanwhile, Sonke Gender Justice senior strategic advisor, Bafana Khumalo said it is so sad to see men waged a war against women’s bodies. Khumalo said they calling on men to resist patriarchy, change the narrative of what it means to be a man, and treat all women with dignity and respect.

“We call on all men in our country to take a firm stand against GBV and femicide. They need to commit to working as allies with all organisations that are working in this sector. As men, we need to lead from the front in all efforts that seek to heal our land of this scourge.

“Let us support women and girls in all their endeavours as they seek to actualise their dreams of living in a violence-free country. Women should not be afraid to walk freely in the streets,” he said.

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