The abuse of power

AS MAYOR of the Sedibeng District Municipality in Gauteng, Simon Mofokeng, spent R1.1 million on KFC, Nando’s and hotel accommodation between 2011 and 2015. Then, after being deployed to the mayor’s post in the Emfuleni Municipality, he spent a further R629 000. This alone should have got him fired.

Now he’s been accused of sexually grooming a 14-year-old. We are horrified. We know investigations of sexual abuse against him are ongoing, but the very thought of what he has been accused of, has filled us and, we believe, most law-abiding citizens of this country with revulsion. The fact he has been placed on special leave provides scant relief.

Rape and sexual abuse is all about the abuse of power which has been continuing unabated for many years in South Africa.

Ignore the fact that the figures for sexual abuse have dropped in the latest annual crime statistics released by the police. They’re nothing to be proud of. They are still ridiculously high.

In 2016/17, 49 660 sexual offences dockets were opened. Most – 39 828 – were for rape.

These are horrendous figures. They are our national shame. South Africans – and men in particular – cannot simply look the other way and say: “I don’t rape”.

One thing is clear, there is something seriously wrong with the attitude and the mentality of far too many men in our country.

It is time for swift, sharp action to stamp out this evil. We call on everyone – men, women, gay and straight – to join hands to tackle this scourge by reminding the government and the police again and again of their duty to the citizens of this country. We want to call out the ANC especially.

Their response to the scourge – whether through action or words – has been wholly inadequate. This has been especially notable when their own members have been accused of sexual offences.

Where, for instance, is the voice of the ANC Women’s League, who were so vocal during the Oscar Pistorius murder trial? Their silence on Mofokeng has been deafening.

In the last general elections, the ANC garnered more than 60% of the vote. Those who voted for them expect them to provide moral leadership in a country gripped in a vice of crime.

Sadly, this leadership has been lacking.