The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Ms. Nonhlanhla Ncube-Ndaba, welcomed the arrest of six men in connection with the murder of elderly women in the Zingqolweni village of Cacadu in the Eastern Cape.
Ms. Ncube-Ndaba said:
Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Committee Chairperson Applauds Arrest of Alleged Killers of Elderly Women
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Ms Nonhlanhla Ncube-Ndaba, welcomed the arrest of six men in connection with the murder of elderly women in the Zingqolweni village of Cacadu in the Eastern Cape.
Ms. Ncube-Ndaba said: “The swift arrest of the suspected killers of the elderly women of Zingqolweni village is an exciting development and good news of hope for the defeat of the perpetrators of the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV)” . She called for closer cooperation between all key players, to ensure that the perpetrators of the gruesome murder of Zingqolweni village elders are brought to justice.
In addition, Ms. Ncube-Ndaba called for the case to be expedited and urged that the families of those killed be kept informed of all developments in the case. She also urged the Commission for Gender Equality to work together with other related institutions to promote the fundamental rights of all citizens, including the elderly.
To this end, Ms. Ncube-Ndaba indicated that the Department for Women, Youth and Disabled People briefed the GBVF Local Rapid Response Teams committee in the Eastern Cape, which was formed to co-ordinate a multi-stakeholder response to GBVF in their areas. Therefore, it is imperative, she said, that all stakeholders work collaboratively in this regard.
Ms. Ncube-Ndaba also condemned the continued murder of women in Cacadu and across the country on charges of witchcraft, and for whatever reason, in the strongest terms. “We call on all peace-loving South Africans wherever this bad culture is prevalent to nip it in the bud. It is intolerable in our constitutional democracy,” Ms. Ncube-Ndaba emphasized.