02/12/2022
Parliament 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children
ACDP President, Rev Kenneth Meshoe MP
ACDP leader says it’s shameful that less than 10% of those arrested for r**e are convicted.
"Government has the power to reduce gender-based violence, particularly r**e of women and femicide in the country.
We are one of the top five countries in the world for femicide. At least a third of our women and teenage girls and boys have suffered sexual violence and half of them have experienced physical violence.
The highest number of r**es are taking place in residences, either of victims or perpetrators, and yet, surprisingly, government does not investigate the role of po*******hy in these ever-increasing r**es taking place in homes. The ACDP believes that po*******hy is the theory and r**e is the act.
Nobody’s wife or daughter deserves to be r**ed because she had to walk home from work or school through the veld.
It is a shame that until today, only less than 10% of those arrested for r**e are convicted.
DNA samples that are taken to forensic laboratory for testing take years before they are finalised. The current DNA backlog numbers a massive 81 291 cases, with the ring-fenced backlog of cases a shocking 11 000.
The ACDP is totally opposed to parole for those convicted of r**e or murder. Bail for those accused of r**e or murder must also be denied. Nobody should have to picket outside a court because they are afraid that a suspected or convicted perpetrator will be allowed back onto the streets. Recently, four-year-old Bokgabo Poo of Wattville, Gauteng was lured away from her friend in a park to be r**ed and murdered. Unbelievably, the suspect was out on bail for the r**e of a nine-year-old girl at the time.
If government is to show seriousness about ending GBV in this country, then they should take drastic steps to end this scourge. Among others, they should ban po*******hy, deny bail, and outlaw parole for rapists. They should also end their cosy relationship with countries that deny women their rights.
Is it not hypocritical for government to invite Iranian Foreign Minister, to visit South Africa without challenging their treatment of women, or speaking in defence of women who are crying for liberation in that country? We know that for the past two months; the Iranian government has violently suppressed protests calling for women's rights. It is morally repugnant that our government, which claims to champion gender-based violence (GBV), would be silent when women are being harassed and arrested for claiming their rights.
This invitation portrays the shallowness and hypocrisy of the ANC government’s statements and commitments to the fight against GBV. How can our government be so vocal about women's and children’s rights but then invite these suppressors of women to our country? The South African government has yet to utter a single word of support for the women and girls of Iran.”
