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The Democratic Alliance Women's Network (DAWN) in KwaZulu-Natal is horrified to learn about yet another rape, murder and burning of a 53-year-old woman in Inanda.

According to reports, Dumazihlebi Doris Sithole’s body was found in a public toilet in the Bhambayi area this past weekend.

The splurge of inhumane violence against women and children in this province is spiralling out of control. The high rate of femicide in KZN is exacerbated by the lack of concern and the lack of will power by the Provincial Police Commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, to address these crimes.

My letter to Mkhwanazi, requesting that he focus on violence against women and children in this province, has gone unanswered more than a year after I sent it to him. This indicates that the abuse, rape and murder of women under his care is not important to him.

Inanda is notorious for being the rape capital of KZN after Umlazi. It doesn't need a rocket scientist to understand where the focus should be in the fight for the freedom of movement for women without fear of them losing their lives.

We appeal to the police to make every effort to find the culprit(s) of this heinous crime and assure a successful prosecution.

DAWN KZN will monitor this case carefully and will be available to the victim's family for support.

Issued by Shehana Kajee - DAWN KZN Chairperson