Abused women urged to seek help

16 days of activism against abuse roll out

Unemployment tends to force some women to remain in abusive relationships until their partners kill them.

This was said by North West MEC for social development Hoffman Galeng at the launch of 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign at Boitekong township, north of Rustenburg, on Saturday.

Speaking to over a thousand residents who braved long hours in the rain, Galeng urged women to be brave and come out to seek help.

“It is time women come forward and break the silence. It is wrong for abused women to make arrangements with the perpetrators to pay them so that they withdraw cases,” Galeng said.

“They should not sell their lives with pieces of silver. They should not even sell their daughters with money.”

Thabang Sefotho, an ex-offender, encouraged boys not to engage in substance and alcohol abuse. Sefotho started smoking glue at the age of 14 and had his first unlicensed gun at the age of 16.

In 2001, he was sentenced to 18 years in prison. He served seven years and six months.

“Crime starts small, but later it ruins many lives. I started taking glue at the age of 14 until I joined gangsters and committed big crimes. Crime does not pay,” Sefotho said.

Statistics released by police for 2016/2017 indicated that Boitekong had the highest murder rate compared to other townships in the province.

Boitekong also has a serious sexual offences problem.

It has the second highest rate [after Ikageng, Potchestroom] of assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm. Boitekong also recorded the third highest rate for drug-related crimes after Rustenburg and Brits.

Galeng said violence and the abuse of women and children remained high despite the government’s campaign.