Cases of sexual abuse rife in Bushbuckridge
26 November 2010
Mpumalanga government is intensifying its awareness programmes on sexual abuse in the Bushbuckridge area following information that it is rife there. On Thursday, Mpumalanga Safety, Security and Liaison provincial department launched the provincial campaign on 16 of Activism of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children at Lilydale in an effort to increase awareness.
South African Police Services Major-General Thembi Hadebe told
the people that cases of sexual abuse were rife and the local people were afraid
to report to the police stations. She said people raped grannies who ended up
dying. Babies younger than four years were also victims of rape including young
boys.
She urged people to report such cases to the police during and after the
national campaign saying women needed to be protected from the perpetrators.
“Rape cases are very emotional, even the police at the
Community Service Centres at the police stations get traumatised by handling
such cases. It is worse for the victims who do not speak out. Rape is very
shocking, we need children and women who will stand up, pick the pieces and move
on,” said Major-General Hadebe.
Speaking at the same event, a 24 year old Port Elizabeth born Senzekile Vilane
told the people that she had been abused by her adopted parents from the young
age until she came to Mpumalanga to look for her biological relatives. She was
further abused until she received protection from a Louisville Women Support
Centre after having been abused sexually, physically and emotionally.
“I want to encourage those who may be undergoing a similar experience that they should not become silent but should speak out because there are people who can help them out there. I have been assisted a lot, that is why I need a bursary so that I can study psychology and be able to help others in future,” said Ms Vilane. Meanwhile Mpumalanga Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe said he would ensure police visibility because most of the sexual crimes were caused by liquor abuse late in the nights.
He told the people that the police would continue with the raids, stop and search operations in an effort to increase visibility. He indicated that the provincial government would review some of the liquor trading license as some of these establishments were not complying with the conditions. Lilydale alone had 103 taverns; some were next to the schools and the churches. “These taverns have a negative impact and cases of sexual abuse emanate from abusing liquor. We are urging the municipalities to develop and activate by-laws that will specifically deal with liquor trading so that the police can enforce laws.
“Communities have complained for far too long about non-compliance on the part of the traders, this needs to be regulated as it has an on incidents of crime especially contacts crimes,” said Shongwe.
The MEC called on the community to actively work with government to create a culture of not abusing women and children by instilling the good values in children especially boys while they are still young.
He said abuse against women and children could be ended if a culture is created and sustained by working with all stakeholders whose work is geared towards eradication of abuse of women and children.
Enquiries:
Joseph Mabuza
Tel: 013 766 4055
Cell: 082 678 1450
Issued by: Mpumalanga Department of Safety, Security and Liaison
