At the mercy of criminals

IT IS without a doubt that the gruesome murder of Hillary Gardee, the daughter of a politician, Godrich Gardee, has triggered the pain faced by women in the country.

Last week, the country was reminded how dangerous it is for children and women living in South Africa. Like many other cases of the horrific killing of women and children, Hillary brought tears to the nation as her life was taken away, reminding us of the many unsolved cases where perpetrators get away with murder.

Each day, a girl child and women are victimised by those close to them. They are subjected to all forms of assaults – sexual harassment, rape, murder and other abuses.

Women in the country live in fear of being the next to be kidnapped, raped and killed because they know that the chances of successful prosecution are slim, considering how corrupt the system is.

It has become easy for criminals to get away with terrible crimes because the law enforcement agencies have lost all the respect of our people, due to corruption within the system.

If we are to protect our women and children, hideous crimes require a different approach, one in which the system will protect the victims and ensure successful prosecution, so that everyone knows that our country is no haven for criminals.

In August last year, Police Minister Bheki Cele conceded that in the three months of reporting, a 66.2 % increase in the murder rate was recorded in the country.

Between April 2021 up to the end of June 2021, 5 760 people were murdered in South Africa.

That was 2 294 more compared with the corresponding period in the previous financial year.

From a sample of 4 467 cases, it was determined that 2 531 people were murdered in public places like streets, fields, parking areas, and abandoned buildings.

The swift arrest and appearance of the suspects in the Gardee murder is to be welcomed.

But clearly, much more needs to be done to tackle crime and bring justice to the families who have been victimised by criminals.