Free State: In light of the alarming rise of Gender Based Violence and Femicide, the Provincial Government hosted a special march on Wednesday. It was organized under the leadership of Premier Mxolisi Dukwana in Bloemfontein’s Mangaung District to protest and highlight its concerns against this terrible scourge of inexplicable social deviance.
Hundreds of people gathered to support the cause, emphasising the urgent need to address the pervasive issue of violence against women and children.
Department of Social Development conveys its deepest condolences to all families who are affected by these new trends of abduction and killing.
The Department said, “We are perturbed that most of these sickening crimes take place while the country is observing 16 days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children.”
As the Department, we are saddened and outraged by the recent killing of:
1) Machaka Radebe – 16 year old whose body was found stabbed and wounded in phase 9, Mangaung.
2) The killing of an eight year old in Lindley
3) Four year old Amogelang Finger of Thaba – Nchu also found dead near the family Toilet
4) One of our own social workers, Jessica Michael, was reportedly found deceased at Kalkfontein Dam.
Furthermore, they said, “As the community of Free State and Police, we are still looking for Lesego Mamello Motaung and Lerato Masiu, and we urge all those who might have information in this regard to contact the nearest police station and/or any social development offices.”
Moreover, they appealed to all community members to be watchful of these dangers currently confronting our province. Furthermore, the Department calls on parents to monitor both the movement of their children and their participation on social media and be wary of strangers around their communities.
He added, “Many of our women and children are tortured and brutally killed at the hands of their loved ones and criminal networks who masquerade as loving and law-abiding citizens. Therefore, it is incumbent on each and every one of us to play an active role in exposing and isolating these barbarics. We are reminded of 28-year-old Relebogile Phelma and 16-year-old Machaka Radebe, who were brutally and senselessly murdered. We also lift the families of Lesego Mamello Motaung and Lerato Masiu, who are still missing.”
