By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

21 November 2024- As the country prepares to mark the annual observance of 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie, has urged men who abuse women to seek professional help in order to deal with their anger and other social problems.

Dantjie’s appeal comes in the wake of the recent incident in which a man (33), allegedly killed his parents and sister with a knobkerrie in Shaleng village, near Taung on Friday evening. It is alleged that the family members were inside their shack, sitting around a coffee table when the suspect entered and struck his father, mother and a sister over the heads with a knobkierrie and fled the scene.

The suspect was later arrested and remanded in custody by the Kgomotso Periodical Court until 25 November 2024.

“This day coincides with the National Launch of 16 days of Activism campaign at Rustenburg Civic Centre under the theme: “30 Years of Advancing Collective Action to End Violence Against Women and Children”, which emphasises addressing among others the root causes of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), promoting positive masculinity and promoting gender equity.

“It is shocking and baffling to learn that a man had the guts to kill his own family members. This is painful and pathetic. It is time our society moved away from the notion that men do not cry and rather encourage them to express their emotions freely and talk about their feelings,” she said.

Dantjie said bottling up problems is not doing any good to anyone. She said men should use the services of the social workers at her departmental service points, including the psychologists.  

“Our department has created a necessary space in men-led organisations, where men and boys are allowed to talk about what they are suffering from, without being judged.

“Our department has also introduced a safe space for men called the lounge in community care centres to allow men and boys a platform to voice out their problems. We have dispatched social workers to compile the home circumstance report and provide psycho-social support to the bereaved family,” said Dantjie.

She said other stakeholders, including SASSA, are working with the department of social development to ensure their dignified send-off. Dantjie will pay her homage to the Kale family today at 12pm.

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