MPUMALANGA PREMIER EXPRESSES SHOCK CONCERN ABOUT THE LATEST GBVF INCIDENT IN BETHAL

25 June 2021

Mpumalanga Premier, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane has expressed a shock concern following an incident in which a female police officer was fatally shot in Bethal, near Secunda on Thursday. The victim was certified dead by the paramedics after a gunshot, allegedly by her husband. “I have learnt with shock the latest incident of the scourge of Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) in our province. My condolences to the family of the deceased,” Ms Mtshweni-Tsipane elaborated.

The Premier commended the South African Police Services (SAPS) for their swift action, which resulted in the arrest of the suspect. She says such action and a successful prosecution will convey a strong message that GBVF incidents have no place in the society. “We commend police for their swift action in this regard. Violence has no place in our society and the best place for the perpetrators is prison. We hope this arrest will lead to the incarceration of the suspect,” Mtshweni-Tsipane said.

The incident comes at the time when the Mpumalanga Provincial Government is heightening measures to curb GBVF. These measures were announced by the Premier recently and include the provincializing of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF and the establishment of a Provincial Task Team to coordinate the implementation of the strategy. Mtshweni-Tsipane says every GBVF incident should spur every citizen into action to fight the scourge. “Government cannot be left alone in this fight. We call on all sectors of our society, including civil organizations, to join the fight,” she explained.


Issued by the Office of the Premier

Spokesperson: Sibongile Mkani-Mpolweni
Tel: (013) 766 2453
Mobile: 082 967 2138
E-mail: mpolwenis@prem.mpg.gov.za