Admin
04 Dec, 2019
Gender-based violence: enough is enough!
The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation is disheartened about how these brutal killings are becoming a norm in our communities. Another young life lost, another bright future deprived. We cannot afford to have yet another hashtag with no action taken by the Police and other relevant departments including the Presidency. It is sad that women cannot live freely within our communities throughout South Africa, every day we read/hear of women being killed because men see women as sex objects. This behaviour is utterly disgusting. The UDEMWO calls on President Ramaphosa to take its call seriously by calling referendum on death penalty. Clearly the life sentences that being handed by the Courts, are not deterrent to these heinous crimes. Gomolemo Legae killed on the 1st of December, 2019 was just a young, innocent girl, a bright future awaited her, and right now she is no more. Kgaugelo Tshawe was also brutally killed few days just before the so-called 16 days of activism. Being a woman at this point in time in South Africa, you are just waiting to be a next victim. Why can’t we have 365 days of activism against women and children? What will it take for Government to act? How many more women must die before the government can act? Enough is Enough! The UDEMWO has written an open letter to President Ramaphosa on the 09-September-2019. We were hoping Mr President would speedily act on this, as women are under attack, the time for speeches and dialogues around this issue is over. We would like to see a government that implements change and not just talk about it. -end- Issued by: Ms Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General
Admin
18 Sep, 2019
Violence against women and children, and crime in South Africa
Honourable Speaker, Mr President and Deputy President, Honourable Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Honourable Members. 1. Introduction The United Democratic Movement (UDM) commends the fact that Parliament is debating solutions to gender-based violence, child abuse, rampant crime in general, as well as lawlessness. We are here today in response to the brave women of this country who said: “No more!”. This House and the Executive must prioritize finding solutions, even if it means that we must reconsider budget allocations as the President has already indicated. 2. Safety and security: a constitutional mandate Everyone living in this country must, at all times, be protected and should feel safe in their homes and on our streets. For the Executive to act decisively and to make manifest the constitutional mandate of safety and security for the people, it might mean that our civil liberties could be affected. 3. Proposed SADC accord One other matter which I would like to raise is that of striking an accord between SADC countries to address security and home affairs issues. Cross-border crime, moving stolen vehicles and livestock, as well as the burning of trade-goods, should be a thing of the past. Our economies must be protected, for if one country is unstable, all are affected. 4. Xenophobia Regarding the recent xenophobic attacks, we condemn it in the strongest terms. I however wish to mention that South Africa is the only country that does not have refugee camps, with non-South Africans being integrated into our society since 1994. We indeed have people from the rest of the continent, Europe, America and the Far East who live peacefully, and prosper in South Africa. 5. Closing Mr President, if one looks at the vast amounts of money that is syphoned away through corruption, our obsolete military equipment, poor training and equipping of our security services and the criminal justice system, it is clear that we still have much work to do. I thank you.
Admin
11 Aug, 2017
Something is seriously wrong: Aviwe Jam Jam is dead and Deputy Minister Manana is out on bail?
Statement issued by Thandi Nontenja – UDEMWO Secretary General The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is disturbed by reports of yet another female murder victim: young Capetonian Ms Aviwe Jam-Jam. Her name has been added to the ever-lengthening list of woman victims of violence and crime in South Africa. The fact that her body was found dumped at a sport field, not very far from her home, rubs salt into an already raw national wound. Like most women caught in an abusive cycle, Aviwe had – according to a relative – tried to get away from her allegedly abusive boyfriend who seems to be suspected of her murder. It is alleged that her boyfriend had a reputation for violence and destruction of property, yet nothing was done. The system has failed young Aviwe! On the disgraceful actions of Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Mduduzi Manana, UDEMWO believes that neither the response of ruling party, nor Police Ministry, nor the police services, is vaguely commensurate to the nature of what happened. The Women’s League’s lukewarm reaction to the situation is a condemnation of the women at its helm. Ms Bathabile Dlamini and Ms Baleka Mbete, spends all their time protecting their irredeemable Mr Zuma. You are focusing on the wrong man ladies! Have you no backbone? Deputy Minister Manana is a public leader who should be the daily embodiment of the campaign against gender-violence, for when a prominent South African man makes himself guilty of gender violence, it makes it easy for the ordinary man to follow his example. UDEMWO feels that the Honourable Deputy-Minister has been (and still is) accorded special status when he was not cuffed and arrested. It is hogwash to argue that his actions were “not so bad”. No matter how Police Minister Fikile Mbabula tries to spin the situation, his colleague is getting special treatment. We urge the state prosecutors to not spare Deputy Minister Manana because of his status and the magistrate should throw the book at him. UDEMWO believes that gender equality lies in transforming the balance of power between men and women and therefore urges all women to continue to campaign for our rights. Women, shout to the rafters that we are not the convenient punching bags or the sex slaves of some immoral men. Gone are the days where women endured abuse at the hands of their male counterparts, but they had no voice. End
Admin
07 Aug, 2017
Women-slapping minister: gender-based violence at the highest level
Statement issued by Thandi Nontenja – UDEMWO Secretary General The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is furious and shocked by the incident where the Education Deputy-Minister Mduduzi Manana assaulted two women at a night club at the weekend. He has apparently admitted that he has done so and UDEMWO believes that his actions cannot be justified under any circumstance. This incident not only happens in Women’s Month, but against the background of the increase in gender-based violence in South Africa. A man at Deputy-Minister Manana’s level should live by example. Police Minister Fikile Mbalula must also not be tempted to protect his colleague abusing his position. Deputy-Minister Manana cannot get away with this. No one is above law; least of all a minister and he must face the consequences of his actions. We also hope that the witnesses will not be intimidated during the investigation. Does the ANC Women’s League approve of this behaviour? The same as they did with Kwezi? We in addition call upon the ruling party itself to urgently subject Minister Manana to a disciplinary process. Should there be no consequences for Deputy-Minister Manana, it will be a clear indication that the ruling party and its male ministers do not have time for strong women; we cannot be led by people who don’t respect us. End
Admin
20 Jul, 2017
Gender Violence: Is Yvonne just another statistic
Statement issued by Thandi Nontenja – UDEMWO Secretary General There seems to be a heart-wrenching answer to the question of the whereabouts of Yvonne Mbekwa. The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is saddened to hear that a burnt body, with her documentation, was found fairly close to where she and her baby had disappeared. Reports do not indicate the fate of her child, but we have come to expect the worst. “Yvonne Mbekwa” is yet another name to add to the growing list of victims of gender-based violence in South Africa. Government is simply not taking this matter seriously. The responsible ministers can’t get away with making a few pacifying noises in the media and leading us in celebrating Women’s Month in a few weeks’ time. 16 Days of Activism does not cut it anymore. What are you doing to drastically better the lives of women in this Country? There is another dynamic to this tragic situation which adds extra discomfort. It has come to light that the main suspect, Yvonne’s boyfriend and father of her child, is a police officer in the Port St Johns area. If he is found to be her murderer; the irony would be too thick to swallow; because the very person who was supposed to give protection, instead took life. We call on the South African Police Service to make a swift arrest, especially since there have been allegations that the suspect has issued threats to Yvonne’s family and community. We also call upon police to speedily investigate the whereabouts of the infant. We keep her family and friends in our prayers. May her soul rest in peace. End
Admin
31 May, 2017
Protecting Women and Girl Children against violence and abuse (Rule 84) by Mr Lennox Gaehler, MP in the NCOP
Honourable Chairperson and Honourable Members The United Democratic Movement (UDM) joins millions of South Africans to declare, violence and abuse of women and girlchildren, a crime against humanity. Violence against women and girls is rooted in gender-based discrimination and social norms, as well as gender stereotypes that perpetuate such violence. The recent spate of gruesome murders of girls and infants, have a devastating effect on girls, women and society in general, and must be rejected by all. As a nation, we must never tolerate crime, the crime against women and girls must be stopped now. We must do everything legal, to prevent it from happening and address its root and structural causes. Prevention must entail, supporting the implementation of the laws, policies and programmes that place a strong focus on the promotion of gender equality, women’s empowerment and their enjoyment of human rights. Working together, as women, girls, men and boys, we must accelerate progress in preventing and ending violence against women and girls. Awareness raising and community mobilisation, including through traditional forms of communication, the mainstream and social media. The “Not in My Name” campaign by men must be part of our daily life. It must be a collective responsibility and an obligation of both men and boys to prevent and end violence against girls and women. Working with faith leaders, traditional leaders and communities, we must change the social norms and harmful practices, acknowledge and act against gender injustices. Government must too, ensure that the girlchild is protected and make available all the institutional function to give security to the girls. Abuse of girls through child labour is illegal and we have a responsibility to monitor the labour market and ensure that this is abolished. There must be a concerted drive to ensure that all girls enjoy full and equal access to education with the necessary support to keep them focused on the development of their future. A girlchild must be taught and encouraged to accept that there is no small or insignificant violence; all violence is gross violence and is a crime, and therefore must immediately be reported to law enforcement agencies at the time of its occurrence. Law enforcement agencies must be trained and taught on how to respond and manage gender-based violence. As society, we must build working families and household that respect human life. Criminals, who murder our young women must have no place in our homes, political parties, churches, schools, sports, and arts and cultural associations and in the society in general. I thank you
Admin
28 Mar, 2014
UDEMWO welcomes Kutumela sentence, but is it enough?
The United Democratic Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is pleased to hear that Thato Kutumela has been sentenced to ten years for rape and 20 years for the murder of his 18-year-old pregnant ex-girlfriend. We are however disappointed that Kutumela’s sentences will run concurrently and hope that he will never be paroled. Our courts should mete out harsh sentences on the perpetrators of abuse and violence against women and children. UDEMWO believes that a zero-tolerance system should be employed to deter, punish and rehabilitate offenders whilst supporting the victims and their families; making sure that justice is served and their dignity restored. Our hearts go out to Zanele Khumalo’s parents and other loved ones. May her soul and that of her unborn child, rest in peace.
