Cases of sexual abuse
rife in Bushbuckridge
Media Statement
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.
SAPS 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 traumatized
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.
Issued by Mpumalanga Department of
Safety, Security and Liaison
Enquiries: Joseph Mabuza
Contacts: 013 766 4055/ 082 678 1450
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