‘Untouchable’ perpetrators
THE Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) joins multitudes of South Africans in sending its deepest condolences to the grieving Maseko family for losing their beloved daughter, Khensani.
We are hurt as a party, by the manner in which Khensani’s life was stolen.
This is a month devoted to women as we make reference to what took place in the same month of 1956, on August 9, when women congregated to fight for their own plight. It is clear from what is happening that women in our country are far from being emancipated from oppression, especially sexual violence and harassment by men.
We are disappointed at the manner in which the sexual harassment has been normalised by our entire society, including law enforcement agencies.
Women, children and disabled people continue to suffer from masculine dominance of society while we ignore and underplay the tragedy which women face daily.
It is disheartening that interest or lobby groups meant to advance the interests of the oppressed are not carrying out their constitutional mandate.
There is something wrong with our Constitution or law enforcement because we have rights which are never effected and which render the Constitution useless.
Khensani Maseko and Khwezi should not have undergone what they were forced to undergo. Most of the men harassing or sexually assaulting women are powerful figures in society that scare off law enforcers from doing their constitutional duties – so we have never been equal before the law.
We have not only failed Khensani and Khwezi, but we continue to fail all women in our country. Universities, schools, crèches, churches and workplaces have become playgrounds for sexual harassment and violence. Indeed, a lot needs to be done.
We have a toothless Department of Women which is meant to safeguard the interests of women, children and the disabled, but it is instead doing the opposite. We need to send a strong message by apprehending those powerful figures who perpetuate sexual violence simply because they are “untouchable”. The law must take its course without any fear or favour.
The PAC says enough is enough. PAC spokesperson