The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (IMC on GBVF) has approved a Comprehensive Emergency Strategy to speedily bring to justice the perpetrators behind the killing of nine women in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.
This is according to IMC co-chairperson, Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, during a media briefing in Pretoria on Sunday.
“The [Committee] met on Thursday…to receive a briefing and consider recommendations from the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) on the work to speedily find the perpetrators of the murders of women in the Ekurhuleni Metro of the Gauteng Province.
“The IMC approved a Comprehensive Emergency Strategy for implementation, which is in line with the key elements of the National Strategic Plan on the fight against GBVF, [namely], Prevention and Rebuilding Social Cohesion, Law Enforcement, Protection, Safety, and Justice [and] Victim and Survivor Centred Support,” she said.
Additionally, the multidisciplinary specialised team established to investigate the murders has been “elevated to be coordinated by the Deputy National Commissioner: Detective Services.”
Finding families
Chikunga said that of the nine recovered bodies, one remains with no missing person case reported.
“The IMC calls on people to check on their female relatives who are in Ekurhuleni, particularly those in and around Kempton Park, Kwa-Thema and Tembisa, and to report any missing persons at their nearest police station. There is no requirement to wait 24 hours before reporting a person missing.
“Early reporting enables the police to initiate the necessary investigation and search processes without delay. Families should provide a recent photograph, a description of the missing person, details of where the person was last seen and any other information that may assist investigators,” the Minister urged.
Community members with any information on the murders are urged to report to police.
To give information to police, contact Warrant Officer Elvis Manyike on 082 465 7249 or call the South African Police Service Crime Stop number on 08600 10111.
“Information should be reported directly to the police rather than circulated through social media or informal community platforms.
“The sharing of unverified allegations, graphic images or the personal information of victims may cause additional trauma to families, fuel fear and prejudice, or compromise ongoing investigations,” Chikunga said.
She highlighted that the Department of Social Development has commenced psycho-social support to the “families of the identified victims in line with the families’ needs.”
“Each of these women was a human being of equal dignity, with relationships, hopes and a rightful place in our society.
“Government stands with the affected families and remains committed to ensuring that they receive the necessary support while justice is pursued,” Chikunga said.
Members of the public can report GBV incidents and access support by contacting the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre on 0800 428 428.
The GBV Command Centre can also be reached by sending a Please Call Me to 1207867#, SMSing “HELP” to 31531, or contacting Skype: Helpme GBV. – SAnews.gov.za
