Churches march against women and child abuse
NO ABUSE: Churchgoers from 15 churches in Kimberley joined the SAPS Women’s Network, Men for Change and the SAPS Spiritual Services in a march against violence against women and child abuse yesterday. THE SCOURGE of violence against women and children was highlighted yesterday as churchgoers from 15 different churches in Kimberley participated in a march through the streets of Galeshewe.
The march was organised by the Galeshewe Ministers Fraternal in partnership with the SAPS Women’s Network, Men for Change and the SAPS Spiritual Services.
Reverend Mark Makhele, from the United Congregational Church in South Africa, said the aim of the march was to speak out against women and child abuse and killings.
“There has been a spike in the number of murders of women and children recently and it is very worrisome. We have to speak out against these ills in order to protect the vulnerable in our society. As church leaders we need to spread the message that we do not condone these actions. Even our members are afraid to attend church services in the afternoon in fear of being harmed. It is time for us to take action,” said Makhele.
He called on law enforcement agencies to act harshly against perpetrators. “We call on the police to be more visible on our streets, especially in the afternoons. That way we can all ensure that our community members are safe. The law enforcement agencies also need to hand down harsh sentences to perpetrators of these crimes to send out a strong message to others thinking of committing crimes.”
Police spokesperson, Captain Sergio Kock, said that the police affirmed its commitment to the community in a memorandum handed over to the provincial commissioner.
“The purpose of the prayer walk was to pray through the streets of Galeshewe and ultimately to hand over a memorandum to acting Provincial Commissioner of the Northern Cape, Major-General Koliswa Otola.”