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The Congress of South African Trade Unions in the Eastern Cape joins today’s multi-stakeholders march that highlights the plight of women in a patriarchal society manifesting itself as Gender Based Violence.

Incidents of Gender based Violence are on the rise in our province and recently OR Tambo district has become a hot bed of these incidents in that part of the province. Recently, the spotlight has been on the gruesome gunning down of Namhla Mtwa in a hail of bullets. A string of her photos bear testimony to the ordeal she suffered allegedly at the hands of her boyfriend.

The march is a demonstration of society’s anger towards the levels of Gender Based Violence against women in general, even those whose suffering has not been covered in the media.

We call upon our members and communities to unite and join the war against Gender Based Violence.  We urge them to act together with law enforcement agencies and to refrain from taking the law into their own hands.  

We further call upon law enforcement agencies to act swiftly and effectively in putting an end to the increase in GBV cases.

We express our condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones to GBV and we convey our sympathies to the victims.

There are various marches taking place today. Details are as follows:

Mdantsane (Assemble at the gates of Mtsotso Cemetery/Traffic Lights)

Time : 10h00 a.m.

East London

Infront of City Hall

Candle-light memorial

Time: 07h00 a.m.

Butterworth

Freedom Square Roma (WSU N2)

Time: 07h00 a.m.

Mthatha 

Multi stakeholders march to Mthatha Central police station

Issued by COSATU Eastern Cape 

Mkhawuleli Maleki

Issued by COSATU Eastern Cape Provincial Secretary