By REGINALD KANYANE
1 April 2015- The Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities has joined the nation in outrage following the horrific sexual assault of a girl (7), in Matatiele, Eastern Cape. The Chairperson of the Committee, Liezl van der Merwe stated that the committee calls for swift justice in this case, echoing the voices of all South Africans demanding accountability. Van der Merwe said during a committee meeting today, members expressed deep concern over the high rates of child rape and abuse in South Africa, particularly in areas like Umlazi, which has recorded the highest number of child rape cases in the country.
She said the committee resolved to prioritise an oversight visit to the Eastern Cape to further investigate this crisis and engage with all relevant stakeholders.
“It is clear that as leaders and as a collective, we need to do more to ensure the safety of our children. The committee will be meeting with the Department of Social Development on 22 April 2025, to discuss the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, as well as the devastating impact of budget cuts on NPOs providing critical services to vulnerable women, youth and persons with disabilities.
“The committee remains committed to protecting the rights of the most vulnerable in our society. It calls on all stakeholders, from government to civil society, to join in the fight against gender-based violence and the abuse of children,” said van der Merwe.
The Guardian 