As the country's residents continue to raise their concerns following the much-publicised death of a UCT student, Uyinene Mrwetyanan, women in Bloemfontein took to the Central Business District  (CBD) to express their concerns over the scourge of gender-based violence in the country. Led by Premier Sisi Ntombela and Executive Mayor of Mangaung Metro Municipality Olly Mlamleli, hundreds of ANC Women's League members and members of the public gathered at Hoffman Square where they chanted religious songs, holding banners that said 'enough is enough'. 

Many have told OFM that they have long been victims of gender-based violence and are now calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to take urgent steps in addressing the scourge of violence in their communities.

"We are tired of being victimised. We are tired of being afraid to let our children play outside. We are tired of being raped."

This gathering in Bloemfontein's city centre comes just days after the mother of four children, Xolisile Mpungose, in KwaZulu-Natal had to bury her children over the past weekend after they were killed by their father.

It also comes just a few days after Ntombela visited the family of a four-year-old Thaba 'Nchu girl who was raped, murdered and dumped in a pit toilet over a month ago. Last week, she handed over a newly built house in the memory of Naledi Chaka to her parents.

Meanwhile, addressing the multitude gathered in the city centre, Mlamleli appealed to women to stop suffering in silence and report cases of abuse.

OFM News