Government must act against violence

The government is not serious about ending gender-based violence. That is the message South Africans hear when government officials dilly-dally on taking action against one of their own. Take the case of Luntu Sokutu, a top aide in EC premier Oscar Mabuyane’s office. Sokutu has been accused of violently assaulting a young woman outside a fast food outlet in East London three weeks ago.

Indeed the incident is the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation by the police.

Equally important, it is also the subject of investigation by the premier’s office.

While Sokutu, an ANC Youth League activist and spokesperson for the SACP in Skenjana Roji district, has been placed on special leave, the so-called investigation by his employer seems severely lacking.

Three weeks after the incident, no-one from the premier’s office has so much as contacted the young woman.

It is patently clear that to investigate an incident, speaking to the victim would be the logical starting point.

The very serious allegations should be dealt with as a matter of urgency.

Not only is Sokutu accused of a serious crime but his alleged actions have potentially made a mockery of Mabuyane’s public campaigns against gender-based violence.

Not reaching out to the victim is a dereliction of duty and raises serious questions about Mabuyane and the ANC’s seriousness when it comes to stamping out violence against women.

The perpetrators of violence against women are not faceless strangers — they are our brothers, uncles, teachers, bosses and colleagues and, yes, sometimes individuals who hold power.

What makes the situation even more galling is the fact that Mabuyane, on Tuesday, spoke at a workshop on gender-based violence and femicide, waxing lyrical about the ANC’s commitment to “do everything humanly possible” to end the scourge of gender-based violence.

His handling of the Sokutu matter will demonstrate the authenticity of his said commitment.