CGE outraged by woman beating incident at Luthuli House

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has expressed shock over pictures and a video that have emerged of a woman being brutally assaulted outside Luthuli House in Johannesburg.

On Monday, ANC members waited outside party headquarters for a march by the Black First Land First (BLF) group. Scuffles broke out between the two groups, where the woman was physically assaulted by a man, who has since been identified. Radio reports this morning say the man, who has subsequently been suspended by the ANC, has handed himself over to the police.

The CGE said it is shocked that nobody came to the assistance of the woman, who was assaulted even while lying on the ground.

The ANC has strongly commended the incident and called on the police to act without fear or favour to bring the perpetrator to book. The party is ready to take disciplinary proceedings against the man.

CGE spokesperson Javu Baloyi said the commission is equally worried that there was lack of police action, who can be seen on the scene, to either stop the beating or apprehend the perpetrator of this heinous crime.

“The beating clearly shows we are a society that has normalised violence against the most vulnerable people in our society, in this case, a defenceless woman. In the year 2016 alone, a staggering 182 933 cases of assault were reported,” Baloyi said.

He urged members of the public, who have knowledge of and information on acts of gender-based violence and abuse, to call the toll-free number 0800 007 709 to report such cases. - SAnews.gov.za