The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Ms Nonhlanhla Ncube-Ndaba, has welcomed the arrest of and charges against a suspect in the murder of the 34-year-old Ms Cleo Diko.
 
Ms Diko’s body was found buried beneath a man’s bed on 27 January 2023. The suspect is alleged to be Ms Diko’s partner. Ms Nonhlanhla Ncube-Ndaba sends her condolences to the Diko family for the brutal murder of their daughter and called for the justice system not to fail Ms Diko.
 
In another femicide, Aaliyah Chingy’s body was found in a shallow grave in Delft at the weekend. According to media reports, the Delft police were investigating a case of murder, although the motive for the attack has yet to be determined. The unknown suspect/s fled the scene and have yet to be arrested.
 
“The country is under attack and gender-based violence is on the rise; every day we read media reports of women dying at the hands of those who are close to them,” said Ms Ncube-Ndaba. “The government has introduced laws to protect women and children in our country from abuse and violence. Despite these efforts, GBV continues to be a pestilence in the country.”
 
Perpetrators of acts of violence and abuse have no place in our society. These were the sentiments expressed by Ms Ncube-Ndaba in welcoming the judgement handed down to convicted child and serial rapist Mr Moehydin Pangaker. He made headlines when he was arrested for the kidnapping, rape and killing of eight-year-old Tazne van Wyk, who went missing in February 2020.

Ms Ncube-Ndaba said the justice system is taking action against perpetrators of GBV but more needs to be done, especially with regards to bail conditions. The Chairperson is concerned that many perpetrators commit crimes while they are out on bail, as was the case of Pangakar, who was out on bail at the time of Tazne’s murder. “It is such incidences that require attention by our justice system, when someone is out on bail only to re-commit the very offence he was imprisoned or arrested for,” said Ms Ncube Ndaba.

Issued by the Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Person with disabilities, Nonhlanhla Ncube-Ndaba