This was discussed during a Men’s Dialogue on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) held at the Lemotso Primary School. This as the speaker of the Provincial Legislature, Zanele Sifuba, and the Local Municipality on Wednesday embark on interactive dialogue as part of promoting the vision called “An Activist Legislature that Champions Democracy’’. The recent 2018/19 South African Police Services’ (SAPS) crime statistics has painted the Thabong Cluster in that area as having the highest record of sexual offences in the province. During the live event, streamed by the Legislature, one resident pleaded for the death penalty to be brought back saying this will directly deal with the scourge of femicide in particular. During this, one woman detailed the painful story of her rape and further questioned the mentality and the role the society is playing to deal with this.

She told those who packed the community hall about the fear she had for her life after the rape incident that led to her seeking safety elsewhere, out of the province. She says following the incident she was ridiculed and shamed by residents and the family of the perpetrator. This dialogue comes amidst numerous reports of gross incidents of violence against women and children in the province, where they are either killed or abused by people close to them. Sifuba said the programme will aim to promote good governance and a culture of human rights through public participation, law-making, and oversight that is vigilant, dynamic, proactive and responsive. She said the gender-based violence is a profound and pervasive problem in South Africa, impacting on almost every aspect of life.

Meanwhile, the 40-year-old Bishop who allegedly raped his 23-year-old stepdaughter was recently released on R10 000 bail in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court. This after he allegedly raped his stepdaughter on three occasions from when she was nine years old.

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