Pretoria - North West Premier Thandi Modise has reiterated the call for an intensified effort to fight the scourge of gender-based violence in the province.
Modise’s reaction follows media reports that two women from Khuma location in Stilfontein near Klerksdorp were severely beaten and repeatedly stabbed before being raped by two men.
Extending her heartfelt condolences to the family of the victims, Modise said she was baffled that gender-based violence continued in spite of intensified efforts and various initiatives to curb the scourge.
“These cruel and rapacious acts call into question our own moral uprightness as a society. It is even more disconcerting that these deeds were committed at the same time as we were busy in Orkney, not far from Klerksdorp, paying our respects to the world’s greatest icon tata Nelson Mandela,” said Modise, calling for a speedy arrest of the suspects.
The first incident reportedly took place at around 5pm when a 23-year-old woman was accosted by the suspects, who allegedly stabbed her 32 times before raping her and having her private parts cut-off. She is currently being treated in a local hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, in critical condition.
The second incident happened about three hours later when a 29-year old woman was attacked and raped.
“We want these women to know that we are keeping them in our prayers and wish them speedy recovery. We are also requesting our police officers to do everything in their power to apprehend the suspects. They cannot be allowed to roam our streets,” said Modise. – SAnews.gov.za
