Provincial Executive Committee spokesperson Bones Modise said the news of the kidnapping of the Grade R girl by four men in front of Laerskool Kollegepark in Vanderbijlpark on Monday morning came in the wake of harrowing incidents of gender-based violence. 

"The country learned with outrage that missing University of Cape Town student Uyinene Mrwetyana was raped and murdered at a Post Office in Claremont while South African boxing champion Leighandre “Baby Lee” Jegels was murdered allegedly by her boyfriend.

"All these incidents have once more shone the spotlight on the plight of women and children who not only bear the disproportionate burden of rising inequality, poverty and unemployment but also find themselves at the receiving end of violence meted out against them by men," said Modise.

"The status quo cannot continue any longer. We call on society to take a stand against these atrocities by joining hands with law enforcement agencies to ensure that the full might of the criminal justice system befall perpetrators of violence against women and children."

Modise said the ANC in its 54th National Conference called for the socialisation of the children, and in particular the socialisation of boy children as an important foundation of addressing social ills, and ensuring the change of mindset necessary for social transformation, gender equality, non-racism and social cohesion. 

"We call on ANC branches and other progressive forces in society to work toward the attainment of this resolution and to actively take part in 365 days of campaigning against all forms of violence and abuse, in particular against gender-base violence," said Modise.

He said the the ANCGP would also like to encourage communities to take part in structures that combat crime such as street committees, block committees and community policing forums in order to assist police in ensuring a safer environment for all.

"We send our heartfelt condolences to the families of Ms Mrwetyana and Ms Jegels and many others whose loved ones were snatched in the prime of their lives at the hands of abusive men. In their memory we must all vow to continue lifting the banner of #NotInMyName and #CountMeIn as we escalate the fight against gender-based violence," said Modise.

ANA