Following the slaying of three women in the North West, by their partners, the civil rights group #NotInMyName is calling on men to seek counselling, instead of killing their partners.
#NotInMyName Secretary General Themba Masango said the rate at which femicide and GBV is happening in the North West is concerning, and urged men to work together in combating the scourge in our society.
“As #NotInMyName we are really heartbroken and disturbed at the rate of femicide and gender based violence that is happening in our country, particularly in the North West.
“We want to urge men, and call on men once again that no matter what is happening my brother, even if she’s cheating on you or she’s wasting your money, whatever the case may be, rather walk away than resort to violence.
“There is no excuse for killing women, please we want to also urge men who are feeling that they can’t overcome those things to please find #NotInMyname. We provide free counselling and assistance for them,” said Masango.
The Minister in the Presidency for Women, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, has called on the Justice System to take a stand and impose harsher sentences in cases of GBVF.
Nkoana-Mashabane attended the court hearing of ANC Member of Parliament Sibusiso Kula on Monday, to be part of the lobby groups that opposed his bail to set an example for perpetrators in positions of power to know that their abusive behaviour will be met with the harshest opposition.
Kula was arrested in Klerksdorp on Friday 20 January and charged with the murder of his 31-year-old wife, Jennifer Motlhomi Kula.
The Minister said in a country where GBVF has been declared a second pandemic, to have lawmakers who do not respect the rights and lives of women, is unfortunate and if found guilty, the perpetrators must get the harshest sentences.
“In the North West alone there are three other women who lost their lives at the hands of men and we do not see the anger and uproar of every South African to eradicate this pandemic,” said the Minister.
Nkoana-Mashabane said women, children and members of the LGBTQI community are under attack in this country and there is no corresponding power to stop this war as the numbers are increasing daily.
