Let us introduce men’s parliament to stem gbv, says Mayor Gezani Shadrack Maluleke
Collins Chabane mayor says communities must be on top of fighting gbv
The Village Voice
Collins Chabane Local Municipality mayor Gezani Shadrack Maluleke has called on communities in the municipality to step up the fight against gender based violence.
Speaking at Plange village at M’tititi where two people died after a man allegedly doused the house they were sleeping in with petrol and set it alight, Maluleke said the fact that this happened just after the campaign of sixteen days activism against violence on women and children had started was disheartening.
He said communities needed to follow up what deputy president David Mabuza said on National Aids Day at Mudabula, also in the Collins Chabane Local Municipality area, that in order to stem gbv, a men’s parliament should be introduced in every village.
“It is bad that instead of looking at us men in a positive light, women must fear us because we have become not safe in our midst, “said Maluleke, who was accompanied by members of his political management team that included speaker Thina Mbedzi and chief whip Eric Baloyi.
The mayor also had the meeting with the family and the local traditional leadership about the incident.
He expressed the government’s emphathy with the family over the sad incident.
Police said a 29 year old man on Saturday visited his girlfriend, aged 23, during the day.
His ex was at home with her two kids, aged two years and two months respectively.
She was also in the company of her cousin and her two children, aged six days and two years.
According to the police the two started arguing before he left.
In the early hours of the following morning, an unknown man allegedly broke the window and sprinkled a flammable liquid substance believed to be petrol inside the house through the window and then set the house on fire.
The assailant fled the scene while the victims cried for help.
Police summoned help and the victims were taken to the hospital in critical conditions.
Later 3 year old Vunene Ngobeni was confirmed dead.
Police said they could not rule out domestic violence.
Police later called on Edward Chauke, 29, from Gumbani village to avail himself at Malamulele police station or avail himself at the neighbouring police station.
It is believed he will be able to assist in the investigations.
Police have requested anyone with information to contact Detective Commander Edson Rikhotso on 0825657919 or the Crime Stop number 0860010111
Representing the family Rufus Mashele appreciated the support from the government. He said the family was devastated.
Hosana George Muhoxi, who stood on for Hosi M’tititi, namely Hosi Yongwani Chauke said the whole incident has been a blow to the community. He pledged the traditional council’s commitment to work in cinjuction with the police to make sure the culprit is brought to book.
