The gang rape of eight women near Krugersdorp has been condemned by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has urged the local people to cooperate with the police to “guarantee that these criminals are identified and convicted.”
Through his weekly newsletter, the president was making a statement to the country.
While the women were filming a music video in an abandoned mine nearby the town, a group of males attacked and sexually assaulted them.
Rappers don’t belong in our society. Criminals should not be allowed to hide out in our communities.
I urge anyone with information about this incident to contact the police so the offenders can be apprehended.
In our communities, there is always someone who has information, has heard something, or has perhaps seen something.
The issue is that a lot of people decide to remain silent because the offender is a friend, lover, or coworker. Or perhaps we are simply terrified and worry about being victimised.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that the SAPS Crime Stop contact centre treats all tips as confidential information, the President remarked.
President Ramaphosa emphasised that everyone is now required by law to report sexual offences as a result of new laws.
We all now have a legal obligation to notify authorities when we have knowledge, a reasonable suspicion, or any other kind of suspicion that a sexual offence has been committed against a vulnerable individual. Not reporting such a sexual offence is now a criminal.
One of three legislation that he signed earlier this year, he added, “increases the battle against gender-based violence and provides better help and protection to survivors.”
The President added that in order to implement these new rules, magistrates and prosecutors are being taught, directives on bail are being given, and charge sheets are being updated.
Community participation
The President admitted that femicide and gender-based violence are “deep-rooted social problems” and urged people to collaborate with the government to solve the issues that are contributing to the problem, such as patriarchy.
This entails fostering favourable attitudes toward gender equality in our neighbourhoods, places of religion, and private residences.
In how we treat our partners, coworkers, moms, sisters, and daughters, we as men should express our intolerance for sexism, patriarchy, and gender-based violence.
“We must contribute to the national effort in any manner we can, whether as people, groups, companies, or employers. Examples include volunteering at shelters, supporting community policing forums, and taking part in awareness campaigns in our schools.
President Ramaphosa stated that gender-based violence is everyone’s concern and that everyone is responsible for putting a stop to it.