Residents march against abuse
ALEXANDRA - Residents take to the streets to voice their anger at the continued abuse of women and children.
Women and men took to the streets of Alex to show that they have had enough of abuse.
The march, which was supported by different government departments and non-governmental organisations, formed part of raising awareness for the 16 Days of Activism campaign against abuse. The message was clear: people should not look away when they witness abuse.
“We are saying that there should be 365 days of no violence against women, children and people with disabilities,” said Robbie Senoelo of Government Communications Information Systems in Alexandra.
After marching the streets of Alex, marchers gathered at an open space in Tsutsumani, which is said to be one of the most dangerous open spaces in the township. “This area is very unsafe. It has an unfinished building and an open space and criminals use it to commit crimes such as rape, murder and robbery.
“There should be no ‘no-go’ areas in our communities. People should feel free to go anywhere they want to go, at any time of the day. Police must also increase visibility in this area,” Senoelo said.
Speaking on behalf of the MMC for Health and Social Development, councillor Nonceba Molwele (who could not attend the event), councillor Nobantu Lutya said, “We want the government to do away with this place [the open space] which is a major contributor to crime in this area. It must be removed, demolished or revamped so that it can become a safer place.”
Lutya condemned the rape and abuse of vulnerable people in South Africa. “We have lost our humanity. The fact that a six-week-old baby can be raped says that we are no longer human. We are worse than animals,” she said, adding that young boys should be educated on how to treat women and become better men.
