Charred remains found near school; activists decry femicide during Women’s Month
AS WOMEN’S Month draws to a close, the charred remains of a woman who is yet to be identified were found in Khayelitsha yesterday.
Residents made the gruesome discovery of the body burnt beyond recognition near Joe Slovo High School.
According to people at the scene, smoke was seen by passers-by, and something “that looked like feet” led them to inspect closely only to find that it was actually a body.
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said Lingelethu police were investigating a murder case.
“The circumstances surrounding her death are under investigation. No arrests yet, the investigation continues,” he said.
Khayelitsha Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairperson Fransina
Lukas, who is also a provincial CPF Board chairperson, said she sympathises with the family who will learn that they lost their loved one in such a brutal manner.“I first learnt about the shocking incident via social media.
“The act was nothing short of barbaric and cowardly, killing a vulnerable person. As women we are not safe in our homes or on the streets.
“We are not valued and Women’s Month certainly means nothing. I call on the police to activate its resources to bring the suspects of this heinous crime to book.”
Ilitha Labantu spokesperson Siyabulela Monakali said as an organisation that advocates for the rights of women they were deeply concerned by the spike in incidents of femicide plaguing the country irrespective of the month because GBVF was a daily occurrence.
“We call for stronger action to address the scourge of violence against women. Now more then ever is the time for leaders of all sectors to come together and implement more stringent measures to help address this crisis.
“We cannot claim to be making any real progress as a nation until women are free from all forms of violence and discrimination.”
Anyone with any information about this incident can anonymously contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or SMS Crime Line on 32211.
THE closure of schools and disruptions to teaching and learning owing to the Covid-19 pandemic have reversed several gains made in education over the past 20 years, especially in disadvantaged communities.
About 80% of learning time was lost last year, and at least 50% has been lost so far in 2021.
This while first-intake into grades R and 1 recorded 25 000 fewer learners this year than there should be, while there are 10 000 fewer children aged 7 to 14 in schools.
According to Stellenbosch University's Education economist Professor Martin Gustafsson, disruptions were slowing down learning.
“The World Bank has estimated that globally learners whose schooling was disrupted by the pandemic will earn on average 5% less in their lifetimes. Losses will be larger or smaller for certain groups.
“Even with the best catch-up programmes, it is now considered near impossible to recover from the learning losses. To illustrate the South African challenge, the worst impact of the pandemic on matric results will probably not be felt now but in 10 years,” said Gustafsson.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga yesterday said the Council of Education Ministers agreed not to interfere with the remainder of the school calendar.
“The Western Cape and KwaZuluNatal continue to record high community infections, resulting in the temporary closures of schools. Other than this, the system has remained stable and functional, despite persisting learning losses attributable to the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Motshekga.
About 40 Western Cape Schools had to be temporarily closed for decontamination in the past week.