By REGINALD KANYANE
South African women call on the government to take harsh steps against those who continue to abuse and kill women and children. This comes after the country experienced rape and killing of women during the 16 Days of Activism against women and children campaign.
Tsholofelo Leshoe from Modimong village in Taung was allegedly killed by her boyfriend, Kabelo Seelo. According to the police statement, a fight ensued between Leshoe and Seelo during a love triangle argument at Seelo’s residential area. It is alleged that Seelo who is on R1000 bail, stabbed Leshoe and dumped her body in a nearby veld afterwards.
He was subsequently arrested and charged with murder after his other girlfriend allegedly informed the police about the tragedy. In a separate incident, an 18-year-old girl from Seweding village in Mahikeng was also brutally murdered allegedly by a 19-year-old suspect.
Gomolemo Legae-Mashetla suffered third-degree burns, but it was reported to have positively identified her attacker to the members of the community who had come to her rescue before drawing her last breath.
North West Premier, Job Mokgoro said it was a ‘concern’ to see the increasing number of violent rape and murder being perpetrated against young women in the various parts of the province recently.
“We would like to condemn the senseless, violent rape and brutal murder of Legae-Mashetla. In addition, we also thank the police for the arrest of a 37-year-old man, identified as Tebogo Setlhare for the alleged murder of his partner, Kgaugelo Tshwae (28) whose burnt remains were found in her charred Mini Cooper recently.
“We would also wish to condemn the stabbing and murder Eunice Motlaleso (34) from Dibate village in Mahikeng. Motlaleso was allegedly stabbed by a 36-year-old man, who has since been taken into custody by the police,” Mokgoro said.
Meanwhile, the African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) in the North West discussed Stakeholder Relations and Cooperation to fight Gender-Based Violence, Women Empowerment, and Strengthening Support for the ANC and Governance.
ANCWL acting provincial secretary, Bitsa Lenkopane said: “Gender-based violence has reached unacceptably high and alarming levels where a woman or a girl child is attacked and killed every two minutes in the country. Perpetrators of this brutal and senseless deed have extended their reach to institutions of learning (schools, colleges, and universities) where young women have been raped and killed.
“The scourge has even placed the development of women, young women, and girl children in jeopardy as it will only be a matter of time before they’d start to be
discouraged from attending a learning institution in fear of being attacked.”
Lenkopane further said the ANCWL has decided to work closely with NGOs, NPOs and religious organisations to widen the reach to mobilize society to fight gender-based violence. She added that they have worked together in a number of activities including the last memorial services of the late Legae-Mashetla and the Mokopanele brothers who were brutally killed in vicious gender-based violence act.
“The league will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Christian Ministers Fraternal (SAMIFRA) and other Non-Governmental Organisations to work together in each other’s programmes to fight gender-based violence and address challenges that lead to the scourge.
“Women bear the brunt of social and economic challenges. They are burdened with family responsibilities and the nurturing of children. Such responsibilities are unbearable for women as they have no financial muscles to attend to these challenges with male partners and or fathers of children not playing a role as required,” said Lenkopane.
The Guardian 