Bethal Women’s Forum marches against gender-base violence
“We are tired of living in fear, wondering who is going to be the next victim.”
The Bethal Women’s Forum marched to the Bethal Magistrate’s Court and handed over its memorandum to the court manager, Ms Eljo Van Heerden, on Tuesday, August 31.
The forum demanded that the court take gender-based violence cases seriously. These cases are on the rise in the area.
They also demanded that suspects of such cases must not get bail.
“As women of eMzinoni and Bethal, we want the court to stop granting bail to perpetrators of gender-based violence. Women and children don’t feel safe in their communities because these perpetrators get the opportunity to victimise their victims,” said Ms Jabulile Dladla, forum chairperson.
“We also fear our children will become their next victims. This is the first time we handed over a memorandum to this court and we plead that the court can hear our cry as women.
“We are tired of living in fear, wondering who is going to be the next victim.”
Sgt Cynthia Mtsweni, eMzinoni Police spokesperson, said the police want to make sure that all gender-based violence perpetrators are brought to justice and jailed.
She said they are encouraging men and women to report any form of abuse to their police stations.
According to Sgt Mtsweni, eMzinoni is among the townships with the most gender-based violence crimes.