Minister in the Presidency Responsible for Women, Ms. Susan Shabangu, notes the developments - from the police, the Eastern Cape Department of Social Development, and the community at large, following the arrest and the subsequent court appearance of a 56-year-old woman from Qumbu in the Eastern Cape.

The woman is accused of allegedly stabbing a man to death and wounding others‚ when she allegedly found them in the act of gang-raping her 27-year-old daughter.

The Minister unreservedly condemns the diabolical and tragic incident involving alcohol abuse, gang-rape, physical assault, murder, and attempted suicide. However the Minister would like to urge society to approach the matter with restraint given the multi-layered complexity of the case.

For instance the teenager who reported the gang-rape to the rape-victim’s mother – is a family member of one of the alleged perpetrators. Subsequently the teenager attempted to commit suicide due to stress and secondary victimisation, the family of the deceased have blamed the teenager for the death. The young woman has been hospitalised after drinking a mixture of paraffin and JIK bleach to escape her grief. Minister Shabangu also applauds the teenager for her courage and wishes her a speedy recovery.

“On the one hand, we can neither prevent nor refuse the rule of law its due cause. On the other hand, and most importantly, we strongly condemn all forms of physical, emotional, psychological and sexual violence on women that are prevalent in our society”, said Minister Shabangu.

The contextual approach to this case affords us the opportunity to also apply the Spirit of Ubuntu in how we view and respond to such complex matters, which are common throughout our country.

Our response to these layers of violence on women is underpinned by our Constitution as the supreme law of the country, particularly the Bill of Rights. The Constitution adjures government to ensure the delivery and protection of women’s rights as human rights.

The Department of Social Development in the Eastern Cape is currently providing psycho-social support and social relief of distress to the families and all affected parties in this incident.

Issued by GCIS on behalf of the Ministry of Women