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.
Admin
21 Jan, 2014
UDEMWO statement: Child rape: war on children
By Mrs Thandi Nontenja – UDEMWO Secretary General Child rape is totally out of hand. Following the recent reports of child rape cases across the country, another nine-year old girl was badly burnt, raped and left for dead in the Cape Flats. Earlier this month a 37-year old father was arrested and charged for raping his 17-year old daughter. These reports are shocking and serious measures must be taken to protect our children. The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) advocates a zero tolerance system to punish, deter and rehabilitate offenders while supporting and restoring dignity and justice to victims. Just a month ago South Africa participated in the campaign 16 days of Activism, such launches hosted by the government are exorbitantly expensive, but there is no evidence that projects programme produces the results we would like to see, which is awareness, and change of attitude, that results in the protection of children and women Law enforcement, together with community leaders need to meet and devise strategies to fight these demons that haunts our communities and causing pain and grief to many South Africans.
