By BAKANG MOKOTO
21 November 2024 -The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) said it will meet with stakeholders at Dinokana Tribal Authority Hall in Zeerust, to discuss the growing scourge of sexual violence against young girls in the North West province. The commission said there are growing concerns about many cases of sexual violence that are not reported to the police and are resolved by traditional leaders, who often impose fines on the perpetrators in the form of money or a cow.
The Commission for Gender Equality spokesperson, Javu Baloyi said as a result, the CGE in the North West saw the need to capacitate traditional leaders in the Ramotshere-Moiloa Local Municipality with strategies for dealing with sexual violence cases, especially statutory rape.
Baloyi said the involvement of traditional leaders in awareness campaigns against sexual violence can help break the silence and stigma.
“The support of traditional leadership can help propel anti-violence initiatives, increasing community trust and participation, and supporting initiatives that promote safe spaces for young girls,” he said.
Meanwhile, the police in North West said it is perturbed by the rising cases of both assault with intent to inflict Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and common. The police said the release of the first quarter crime statistics, similarly confirmed the challenges the province experiences regarding these cases.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said with the looming second and third phases of the safer festive season, which are made distinctive among others, by abuse of alcohol, more cases are likely to be reported.
Mokgwabone further said analysis has shown that most of the victims are youth, due to apparent abuse of liquor, which is one of the contributing factors.
“It has also been established that Gender Based Violence & Femicide (GBVF), including domestic violence-related incidents, occur behind closed doors and most of the victims are women.
“In some instances, the crimes are regrettably committed by people who know each other, relatives and friends. The police in the province effect more than 150 assaults related arrests weekly and secure convictions,” he said.
Mokgwabone said while these actions are supposed to serve as a deterrence, assaults are still problematic in all the districts. He said community leaders, parents, law abiding citizens and members of Community Police Forum (CPF) and related structures, are urged to work together with the police in the fight against crime.
“Parents are requested to discourage their children from participating in post examinations gatherings and inappropriately arranged celebratory activities or events characterised by unruly behaviour and abuse of alcohol known as Go tlhatswa Dipene or Pens Down.
“Equally important, event organisers are urged to act responsibly during the safer festive season and beyond by strictly complying with the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act, 2010, Liquor Act, 1989 and other pertinent legislations,” said Mokgwabone.
He said that police in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies and other relevant role players will not hesitate to take drastic actions against those who perpetrate crime including assaults.
The Guardian 