GBV: MEC Khoza slams police for protecting high profile criminal
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Police and family members allegedly conspired for a ward councillor to ‘pay out’ a victim of gender based violence (GBV) to shut her up,
KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC Nonhlanhla Khoza, has condemned the attitude of some police officers who have allegedly “negotiated” with perpetrators of gender based violence (GBV) against women and children.
Khoza was reacting to the failure of police to arrest a public representative who allegedly committed GBV when he brutally assaulted a woman in full view of the public.
This was after a ward councillor in Abaqulusi Local Municipality allegedly assaulted a woman during the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign, leaving her with acute bruises, swelling all over her body and a broken left arm. Family members also allegedly pressurised the woman, who is related to the councillor, not to open a criminal case against him.
At some stage the victim allegedly agreed to open a case with the assistance of community leaders, but she changed her mind after she was promised that the perpetrator would pay her to keep quiet.
Perpetrators of GBV roam the streets
Khoza said that in a province where women and children are violated, it was unthinkable that the custodians of the law continued to let perpetrators roam the streets.
“The law is very clear on such cases and it doesn’t matter who you are. A person involved in any form of gender-based violence should face the full might of the law. Our country is ravaged by incidents of violence directed at women and children because of leniency on perpetrators,” she said.
Khoza said it was very disappointing that public representatives were contributing to ever-increasing incidents of GBV.
“This woman has clear injuries all over her body and a fractured arm. However, a person involved in this inhumane act is still walking freely. It is very concerning that even the ethics committee in the council has not acted on this matter,” said added.
Khoza called on the police to act against people who try to prevent victims of GBV from opening cases.
“We have a number of cases of GBV that get concealed as families influence victims and even accept bribes from perpetrators. Such should be always rejected and whoever (is) involved should get arrested too.”
Khoza dispatched a team of social workers to assist the victim with psycho-social support and to help her to open a criminal case following her ordeal.
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