The SACP in the Western Cape has learnt with shock the horrific rape of a four months as well as a seven year old child at Ceres on Saturday 4th August 2013. This barbaric act has no place in our society. We therefore urge the police to swiftly arrest the perpetrators of this cowardly and heinous crime against vulnerable and defenceless girl children. The Community of Ceres must assist the police to expose these heartless criminals.
These heinous crimes are an affront to the advances our country and movement have made in the fight against patriarchy and violence against women. This calls for the urgent response by our Criminal Justice System including thorough investigation of the crime to gather compelling evidence for the effective prosecution of the perpetrators and secure a conviction and a sentence fitting the egregious crime.
This further calls for the urgent revival of the street committees to liberate our communities from fear of hardened and budding criminals. The Alliance and community organisations must lead this process to safeguard members of communities, their streets and households.
This heinous crime happens at a time when the MEC for community safety MR Dan Plato is going around blackmailing and undermining the work of the Police in the province. As SACP we call the MEC to re-launch the Bambanani Neighbourhood Watch which was active during the time the ANC was in power. Bambanani Neighbourhood Watch was the most effective community based forum in combating all forms of crimes and a defended of the vulnerable groups in our society.
No justification can ever render rape less deplorable!
In the fight against the raping and maiming of toddlers and the most vulnerable of our society, the SACP welcomes the decision by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to reopen the Sexual Offences Courts. These specialised courts will ensure the conviction and appropriate sentencing perpetrators of this cruel and violent crime which robs victims of their dignity!
Issued by:
Western Cape SACP
Khaya Magaxa
Western Cape Provincial Secretary
083 721 0221
OR
Sonwabile Ngxiza
Western Cape SACP Media Liaison
071 451 1329