The dust has settled
and the community of Ezingqolweni, in Cacadu (formerly Lady Frere), has come
together to rebuild their village following mass murders of the elderly people
in the area.
These were the
sentiments of Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane during the launch of the 16 days of activism for
no violence against women and children campaign on Thursday, November 25.
A
total of 22 elderly people were killed in the village by unknown assailants to
date. In what was said to be revenge killings, seven youths were killed. Four
young men were burnt alive, two were hanged and one was seriously injured,
police previously said.
Police
went as far as offering a R100 000 reward to anyone who can supply
information that will lead to the arrests of those involved. No arrests have
been made in all the cases.
Mabuyane said there were laws in the country and
people needed to abide by the said laws. He said the security cluster,
including police and the justice system, were on the ground to deal with the
matter.
“The
dust has settled and the community has come together to rebuild. We have seen
the community going against this (the killings) of the elderly. For our society
to prosper women must liberated and feel free in their own space,” the premier
said.
The rights of women, Mabuyane said, had to be respected. The incidents of
violence against women and children increased during Women’s month in
August and during the 16 days of no violence. Mabuyane discouraged men from
committing violent acts.
“I think the police have
done their level best from where I am seated. But what we won’t do is to have a
policeman or policewoman in every household. The reason we have a high rate of
reported cases is because police are responding. Police or the state alone is
not going to succeed against this fight. We have got to work together as
communities to ensure we stop this,” he said.
