Women murdered at end of lockdown

South Africa has had a ‘‘dark and shameful week’’ for violence against women since the lifting of coronavirus restrictions, President Ramaphosa said on Sunday.

There had been several deaths, including that of a woman eight months pregnant, who was found stabbed and hanging from a tree. The violence has been linked to the lifting of restrictions on the sale of alcohol as lockdown was eased.

Ramaphosa said: ‘‘Genderbased violence thrives in a climate of silence. With our silence, by looking the other way because we believe it is a personal or family matter, we become complicit in this most insidious of crimes.’’

He added that more than half of the country’s women had experienced violence at the hands of someone with whom they were in a relationship. ‘‘It is a dark and shameful week for us as a nation. Criminals have descended to even greater depths of cruelty and callousness.’’

Among the victims were: Tshegofatso Pule, 28, who was found hanging from a tree in Johannesburg last Monday; Naledi Phangindawo, 25, who was stabbed to death in

Mossel Bay nine days ago; and Sanele Mfaba, whose body was left under a tree.

For two months South Africa had one of the world’s toughest lockdowns. It was said that the alcohol ban would limit domestic abuse and ease pressure on hospitals. Bheki Cele, police minister, linked rising crime to the partial lifting of alcohol sales on June 1. – The Times, London