OR Tambo worst hit by violent deaths, rape

EASTERN Cape politicians have declared areas under the OR Tambo District Municipality as the worst hit in the province by “atrocities” such as rape, muti killings, circumcision deaths, gender-based violence and alcohol abuse.

This is revealed in a report by the Bhisho legislature’s multi-party Women’s Caucus portfolio committee.

The committee visited various districts including Cacadu, Alfred Nzo, Amathole, Joe Gqabi and the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.

They found there were many murders in the OR Tambo District, with police allegedly doing nothing to curb the violence. Relatives were raping each other, disabled people were being molested and there was even do- mestic violence against men, it found.

The report also shows that of the 39 initiates who died during the winter circumcision season, most were from this area. “Traditional surgeons and nurses were attending initiates while heavily drunk,” the report said.

The committee’s report will be tabled by chairwoman and ANC MPL Phumza Fihla during the Taking Legislature to the People roadshow in Mbizana this week. The four-day roadshow starts tomorrow.

In Makana Municipality, the committee found there were social workers not responding to challenges and an increase in child-headed households, while in areas like Maclear, Cala and Indwe cases of violence were later dismissed by courts “due to the poor quality of statements taken by police”.