GBV and assault with grievous bodily harm continue to be a concern in Gauteng as the number of cases is escalating. These include crimes against women and children for the quarter starting in October and ending in December 2022. The murder of women has gone up by 47, 1% and children 18,9. The actual number is 89 women and children were killed.
CONTACT CRIMES
Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela said the police have been appealing to the public to find ways other than violence to resolve conflict."We have previously highlighted that assault GBH and common assault are the main contributors to our overall figure of contact crimes. For the period under review, these two crimes alone contributed over 50% as they have recorded 25 642 counts out of 50 039 total counts in contact crimes category. Assault GBH has increased by 4.5% (487 counts more) and common assault has increased by 9.4% (1 238 counts more)."
IT'S NOT STRANGERS
Mawela said it was unfortunate that women and children are killed by perpetrators known to them. "it's sad because a woman will innocently walk with me because they know and trust me with the belief that I won't harm them. However, I know my intentions and will take advantage of their trust." Mawela made reference to the matter of Sifiso Mkhwanazi, the 20 year-old who allegedly killed a pregnant sex worker and police believe he is linked to five more bodies found at his father's makeshift warehouse. "it was so difficult to believe that such a young man could be involved in such a crime. This is an indication that he first won their trust and that's why the women agreed to leave with him and ultimately he killed them. As a society we need to be brutal and honest with each other that women can't be too trusting." He pointed out that forgiveness was the biggest women killer. "They forgive repeatedly and one day end up dead because of giving someone so many undeserved chances. Also as men we need to learn to take no for an answer. I'm happy that our communities are starting to report these crimes"
