As South Africa concludes the commemoration of Women’s Month, the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) in the Free State stands in mourning and outrage. We find ourselves confronting a bitter irony: a month meant to celebrate the strength, resilience, and achievements of women has been marred by the brutal slayings of those very women who are the backbone of our families, communities, and society at large. It is with heavy hearts that we remember Disebo Masupa in Matjhabeng, Lizzy Bekker in Moqhaka, and Selina Lekonyane in Mangaung Metro—three of our cherished members, all taken from us in acts of senseless violence.
These women were not just names on a list; they were mothers, sisters, daughters, and colleagues. They were women who, like so many others, fought for their place in a society that too often still views them as less than equal. The fact that these murders occurred in the lead-up to and during Women’s Month—a time when we should be reflecting on and honouring the sacrifices of women who fought for our nation’s freedom—makes these losses even more poignant and painful.
SAMWU condemns in the strongest possible terms all forms of gender-based violence. This scourge is not just a violation of human rights; it is an attack on the very fabric of our society. It threatens the safety, dignity, and freedom of every woman, and by extension, the health and security of our nation.
We recognise the deep and lasting trauma that gender-based violence inflicts on victims, their families, and communities. This violence perpetuates cycles of inequality, poverty, and injustice, undermining the values of respect, equality, and safety that are essential to a just and humane society.
To combat the epidemic of gender-based violence, SAMWU calls for swift and uncompromising actions. Perpetrators must face prosecution without the possibility of bail, and mandatory minimum sentences should be imposed to ensure justice is served. We also urge the government to strengthen support systems for survivors, including accessible shelters, legal assistance, and counselling services, while launching nationwide educational campaigns to challenge harmful gender norms and foster a culture of respect and equality.
In addition, SAMWU emphasises the need for community involvement and police and judicial reform. Communities must be empowered to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable, while law enforcement and the judiciary require specialised training to handle cases of gender-based violence with the urgency they demand.
SAMWU remains resolute in its commitment to fostering an environment of zero tolerance toward gender-based violence. But we cannot do this alone. We call on all sectors of society—governments, organisations, communities, and individuals—to join us in this vital fight. Together, we must work to create a world where every woman can live without fear, where her rights are respected, and where her life is valued.
As we close this Women’s Month, let us do more than remember the women we have lost; let us honour their memories by fighting for the justice they were denied. Let us stand united against gender-based violence and let us pledge to build a future where such violence is no more.
Issued by SAMWU Free State
Thabang Tseuoa
Provincial Secretary
0826209160
Or
Sandla Mahlati
Deputy Provincial Secretary
0719780310