Admin
22 May, 2017
No bail for suspects
Statement issueb by Thandi Nontenja – UDEMWO Secretary General The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) welcomes the arrest of three men relating to the rape and horrendous murder of four women two weeks ago in Soweto. The arrest brings hope that the criminals will face the music for their action. As UDEMWO, we call for no bail for the culprits. We are also concerned that the police refused to attend to crime scenes citing their safety above of the citizens. The recent reports of the 13 year old teenager who went missing three weeks ago and the parents received no assistance from the police until the media intervened. Kabelo Matsatsi, the father reported the event but police officials refused to help. We condemn the misconduct by police. It is unacceptable. We are asking ourselves if the safety officials will not be able to attend to these crimes who will? How many more girls/women must die before something is done? We would also like to see synergy amongst the government departments i.e. South African Police Service, Department of Justice and the Department of Correctional Service as these departments play a vital role. They should complement one another in making sure criminals face and suffer the consequences of their acts. This is a national crisis; it must be attended to with urgency. End
Admin
12 May, 2017
Condolences to Karabo Mokoena family
Statement issued by UDEMWO Secretary General, Ms Thandi Nontenja The brutal murder of Karabo Mokoena, allegedly at the hands of an ex-boyfriend, brings great sadness to the women of this Country. We had hoped that she would be found alive and well after she went missing late last month, only to be shocked to learn of her brutal passing. It is most disturbing that this seems to be, once again, one of those horrendous crimes committed by someone a woman or girl should be able to trust. Women continue living in fear of the unknown in their own living spaces. We cannot say enough about the need to stop women abuse and murder; there must be a change of heart and in the actions of many men in this patriarchal society. Meanwhile, UDEMWO welcomes the 20-year sentence of the ANC Youth League’s Patrick Wisani for the murder of his girlfriend, Nosipho Mandleleni. This judgment cannot bring her back but it is lesson for other would be offenders. We hope to see greater punitive measures applied to guilty evildoers. We are disappointed that the Department of Women, which is supposed to champion us, being so quiet. This is a proof that Government continues to fail women. End
Admin
03 May, 2017
Open Letter by Thandi Nontenja to Western Cape Community Safety MEC Dan Plato
Mr Dan Plato Western Cape Minister of Community Safety 35 Wales Street 5th Floor Cape Town 8000 Dear Mr Plato UDEMWO calls for quick intervention on crimes against the women and children on the Cape Flats The unabated incidents of rape and murders, on the Cape Flats, targeted at women and children caught our attention. Since the beginning of the year, several women and children have fallen victim to such crimes and we are worried that not enough is being done to eradicate this phenomenon. Gang related violence, drug and alcohol abuse seem to be endemic to these areas. The situation is out of control with the City of Cape Town Metro Police reportedly saying that teams will only enter ‘red zones’ in large numbers to avoid potential threats and attacks from residents. There is obviously a challenge with the affected communities not trusting the police and this must be addressed without further delay. The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation, would like to know what drastic interventions, if any, you and your department are taking to deal with the problem. It cannot be that we fold our arms while these terrible crimes continue; something must be done to restore dignity to these citizens and heal the ills in this society. We urge that you and all the involved stakeholders to come up with strategy that will see to the safety and protection of the vulnerable. In the meantime, we welcome the arrest of the four suspects in the horrendous murder of four-year-old Iyapha Yamile in Khayelitsha over the long weekend. May justice be swift. Yours in Nation building Ms Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General
