A silent march was held in Madiba Park, Kimberley, as part of a collaborative campaign to raise awareness against crime and gender-based violence and femicide.
A SILENT march was held in Madiba Park, Kimberley, as part of a collaborative campaign to raise awareness against crime and gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
Several advocacy groups and organisations, including the Shaine Griqua Advice and Development Centre, Justice4All Movement, Women to Women, Barefoot Campaign, Beauty of a Queen Movement, Hebzibah Counselling and Healing Centre, Grassroots Edge, Billilie Foundation and Anti-Suicide Movement, participated in the walk-about on Tuesday.
Shaine Griqua, from the Shaine Griqua Advice and Development Centre, said that around 70 volunteers made their voices heard to highlight the spate of murders and GBVF incidents that occurred in the area.
“Mymoena Kaleb was brutally killed inside her lover’s shanty in Madiba Park. Her body was found wrapped in blankets. We also found a woman who has been suffering for 14 years at the hands of her husband who threatened to kill her on Tuesday. He wanted to stab her with a knife after she tried to prevent him from assaulting their 13-year-old daughter. She fears for her life but is afraid to seek shelter at a place of safety as it may traumatise her child,” said Griqua.
He added that the woman’s husband was a police officer. “He is never arrested as he is being protected by his co-workers.”
Griqua stated that they engaged with over 70 people during door-to-door awareness visits on how to seek assistance for GBVF incidents.
“We found a lot of unreported cases of abuse and we will see how best we can assist and provide social workers, and psychosocial support and find partners who will be able to help.”
Griqua encouraged victims of abuse not to withdraw criminal cases and to rather find alternative accommodation at safe houses or shelters.
“We also advised the community to clear any rubbish, overgrown trees and bushes to prevent rapists and abusers from using these areas as hide-outs.
“Some girls who were making use of the school crossing related that incidents of sexual harassment and attempted rapes were taking place in the veld. We call upon the municipality to cut the trees and bushes and provide proper lighting in poorly lit informal settlements,” he added.
