ANCWL urges communities to fight rape

The ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) in the Free State has called on all the citizens of the province to join the fight against women and child abuse.

The provincial ANCWL chairperson, Sisi Ntombela, has appealed to citizens of the province to report all crimes especially rape and abuse of women and children to the police.

Ntombela’s call comes after a young girl from Maokeng in Kroonstad was raped and brutally murdered. The Moqhaka Local Municipality together with the local undertakers and businesspeople helped finance the funeral.

“We are sick and tired of the killing and abuse of our fellow mothers, sisters and daughters. We need to put an end to this. Our justice system must mete out harsh sentences against rapists and women and children abusers. The courts must throw away the key when it comes to people who kill innocent souls and infect them with HIV,” said Ntombela.

Ntombela told The Weekly it was said that the young girl was allegedly murdered by a parolee. She said ex-offenders who get involved in criminal activities were making it difficult for them to be accepted back into their communities.

“Ex-offenders and parolees who get involved in crime again are fuelling the anger of communities against them. Many of them have made progress in trying to reintegrate themselves back into communities by participating in programmes designed by the department of correctional services. However, others are disregarding these rehabilitation programmes and continue with their animal behaviour.”

On Wednesday last week, Ntombela appealed to the churches and community organisations to help victims of sexual abuse.

“We are saying church leaders and other counsellors from non-governmental organisations should avail themselves and counsel the victims and their families. We have many pastors who can provide such help voluntarily.”
Meanwhile, the police have embarked on a search for a suspect who is accused of raping a 65-year-old woman in QwaQwa.

Police spokesperson, Mmako Mophiring, said the suspect might be someone known to the victim. He said the suspect allegedly raped the old lady in front of her grandchildren.

“We are asking our community to help in searching for the rapist who allegedly raped an old lady in QwaQwa. She was attacked by an intruder who used a window to gain entrance into the house. He allegedly found the victim asleep and told her to keep quiet, before raping her and robbing her of all her pension money.”

Police have opened a case of rape and robbery. The ANC has called on locals with information regarding the incident to give it to the police, in order for the culprit to be apprehended. The victim and her grandchildren are receiving counselling.

QwaQwa has been identified as one of the areas that have the highest rape incidents in the country.