The brutal murder of Karabo Mokoena, allegedly at the hands of an ex-boyfriend, brings great sadness to the women of this Country. We had hoped that she would be found alive and well after she went missing late last month, only to be shocked to learn of her brutal passing.

It is most disturbing that this seems to be, once again, one of those horrendous crimes committed by someone a woman or girl should be able to trust. Women continue living in fear of the unknown in their own living spaces. We cannot say enough about the need to stop women abuse and murder; there must be a change of heart and in the actions of many men in this patriarchal society.

Meanwhile, UDEMWO welcomes the 20-year sentence of the ANC Youth League’s Patrick Wisani for the murder of his girlfriend, Nosipho Mandleleni. This judgment cannot bring her back but it is lesson for other would be offenders.

We hope to see greater punitive measures applied to guilty evildoers.

We are disappointed that the Department of Women, which is supposed to champion us, being so quiet. This is a proof that Government continues to fail women.

Issued by UDEMWO