South Africa, Botshabelo: Free State Premier Mxolisi Dukwana and Department of Social Development’s Acting MEC Thabo Meeko officially opened a safe house to accommodate victims as well as survivors of crime and domestic violence in Botshabelo.
Free State Premier’s Mxolisi Dukwana was joined by Members of the Executive Council, MEC Health, Ms Mathabo Leeto, MEC Public Works and Infrastructure, Ms Dibolelo Mance, MEC Rural Development and Agriculture, Mr Saki Mokoena and other stakeholders who shared messages to the communities.
Stakeholders included Shelter Movement, the Commission for Gender Equality, the Victim Empowerment Programme Centre and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. All speakers alluded to the importance of the community working together with the government to ensure that the GBV pandemic is defeated.
Setshabelo Safe House is officially launched during the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children awareness campaign which is observed annually from the 25th of November to the 10th of December. This launch serves as a response to the extreme cases of Gender Based Violence and Femicide that have been reported in Botshabelo.
The existence of this shelter will ensure that the victims of GBV are safe and protected at all times. In his keynote address, Premier Mxolisi Dukwana pleaded with the community of Botshabelo to live accordingly with care and love for each other because society has gone astray and forgotten the principles of humanity and Ubuntu; hence we find ourselves plagued by social ills such as GBV&F.
Premier encouraged victims of violence and abuse to break the silence because there is absolutely no justification for abuse. “Both men and women should return to upholding their values and morals in order to mend the tainted social fabric of our society”, he said.
In closing, Older Persons from Botshabelo were gifted with early Christmas hampers.