Human rights’ group Amnesty International said on Thursday that gender-based violence in South Africa had reached “alarming levels”.

Amnesty International director responds to Ramaphosa’s speech
The organisation’s executive director for South Africa, Shenilla Mohamed, made the statement in response to a speech given earlier in the day by president Cyril Ramaphosa in which he addressed the country’s gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide rates, following a spate of brutal incidents that left many in the country incensed.

“Gender-based violence has reached undeniably alarming levels in South Africa. It is unacceptable that women feel they have to watch what they wear in public and be careful about where they are seen socialising, for fear that they may face violent reprisals including rape or even death. The time for sloganeering and politicking has passed. President Cyril Ramaphosa must now translate into action his vow that ‘enough is enough’. It’s nothing short of a national emergency that femicide and rape rates are increasing countrywide, and the government must act decisively to tackle these issues.”

Shenilla Mohamed, Amnesty International

These are the laws Cyril Ramaphosa says he will change to protect women in SA

According to Mohamed, decisive action would entail appropriate training for police officers, to enable them to “sensitively and objectively” investigate incidents of GBV and domestic violence.

To ensure alleged offenders are brought to justice, the government must also ensure that gender-based violence is taken seriously at every level of the justice system, including by challenging discriminatory stereotypes about victims and survivors.

“However, calls to bring back the death penalty, by some in society, are misguided and will not solve this problem. The death penalty is a symptom of a culture of violence not a solution to it, and there is no credible evidence that it has a greater deterrent effect on crime than a prison term. The government would do better to channel its resources to ensure the effective administration of justice through proper investigations into incidents of gender-based violence and fair trials for those accused of the crimes.”
Shenilla Mohamed, Amnesty International

Hundreds of protestors gathered outside parliament in Cape Town on Thursday to register their voices against gender-based violence, after a University of Cape Town student, Uyinene Mrwetyana was found dead this week after she went missing. Around 39,633 rapes and 6,253 sexual assaults were reported in South Africa in 2017.

In quotes: Cyril Ramaphosa’s promises to the women of South Africa
He emphasised that South Africa’s laws would be enforced, and there would be no hesitation in acting against criminal activity, the destruction of property and those found to be inciting violence.

“We are working around the clock to ensure orderly and humane management of migration. We do regular checks on businesses to see if they comply with labour regulations in the country. Businesses found guilty of contravening the laws of the country are fined accordingly. We appeal to all businesses to follow the law. Everyone has a duty to follow the rules and not employ people illegally, or try and avoid tax or not pay the national minimum wage. Department of labour inspectors will continue to do routine checks to ensure that businesses are compliant.”

Gauteng Premier David Makhura
Makhura urges peaceful relations with other African countries
He said South Africa’s relations with other nations on the continent remained strong, as South Africa is an integral part of the African continent and continues to advocate for a peaceful, vibrant and sustainable Africa. As Africans, we all have a shared commitment to foster peace and greater continental unity.



“We should never forget or take lightly that our fellow Africans have contributed to developing our economy and that of the region. They stood by us during the darkest days of the apartheid regime. Similarly, South Africans are helping to develop economies across the continent. We have historically shared resources within the SADC region, and will continue to do so.”

Gauteng Premier David Makhura
-African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Desiree Erasmus
SOURCE: www.thesouthafrican.com