Pretoria - The Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana, has appealed to the community of Luqoqweni village in the Eastern Cape to assist the police in the investigation of the so-called witchcraft killing.
Three elderly women from the Peters family in Luqoqweni village in the Port St Johns Municipality were brutally murdered over allegations of “witchcraft”. The minister will attend their funeral services on Saturday, 28 September.
“The elderly in our society are our pride and heritage, and we therefore have a responsibility to protect them.
“These murders happened within a community and I therefore appeal to all those that witnessed this crime to assist the police to bring those responsible to book,” said Xingwana on Friday.
She said her department will work with the traditional leaders in the affected areas to reach and educate communities on how best to protect senior citizens, women and children who fall prey to criminals.
An education drive will be held during the Older Persons Week, which runs from 30 September to 6 October 2013.
President Jacob Zuma has already urged all South Africans to take Older Persons Week seriously and mark it with dignity and respect for older persons.
“Older Persons Week should be used to speak to and listen to older persons. They have a wealth of knowledge, expertise, potential and wisdom. They should therefore be able to live in dignity free from any exploitation and abuse and with their rights upheld," urged President Zuma. – SAnews.gov.za
