The Congress of South African Trade Unions’ Gauteng Gender Structure is calling on the country’s criminal justice system to handle with the seriousness it deserves, the gang rape incident that took place at Westville, Krugersdorp, where it is reported that eight (8) models were raped while shooting a music video.

Not only is Gender Based Violence (GBV) a continuous cancer which is taking the lives of innocent people, women in particular within the province and the entire country but, it is a pandemic we need to tackle. Mothers, sisters, daughters, and children in general are at great risk in our beloved country, and something needs to be done urgently.

This heart-wrenching incident happened on Thursday the 28th of July 2022, a day before the sentencing of Ntuthukho Shoba who was convicted on the 29th of July 2022 and will now be serving life behind bars after he masterminded the brutal murder of his then girlfriend Tshegofatsho Pule, who was eight months pregnant with their child in 2020.

Our fruitful land is contaminated with high levels of GBV injustices that are causing havoc in our communities. COSATU Gauteng therefore, appeals to the government and law enforcement agencies to strengthen efforts in combating GBV. Women are tired and South Africans have had enough. Declarations were made at the very first Presidential Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Summit in 2018 but not much has changed. 

We also call for adequate police visibility since, we believe that if there was adequate police visibility throughout our communities, we would not be finding ourselves in such situations. We appreciate the arrests that took place on the alleged suspects who have committed this heinous act. We urgently request that those who were arrested for this incident are denied bail as they are a danger to society.

This women’s month, COSATU Gauteng Gender Structure will collaborate with its alliance partners and society at larger to develop a GBV awareness campaign to help put an end to this scourge.  We will not condone barbarism against women, and we will continue to insist on improved laws to protect women and children.

AMANDLA!!!

Issued by Cosatu Gauteng Gender Structure
CDE Provincial Chairperson: Nomalanga Mdluli: 0825542346
CDE Provincial Secretary: Sipho Dinabantu Ncai: 0614692352