Pakati urges a unified front against violence against women

“Violence against women and femicide are deadly pandemics that need all our attention.”

That is the unequivocal view of Buffalo City Metro mayor Xola Pakati, who is deeply troubled by the high numbers of attacks on women in the Eastern Cape.

Since taking office in 2016, Pakati has been a tireless crusader for women’s rights and, in particular, programmes aimed at ending gender-based violence (GBV) in and around the metro.

He has delivered several lectures focusing on the scourge and emphasising why it is critical that women are not marginalised in society.

An emotional Pakati was in attendance at the scene in Quigney where the dismembered body of fourth-year University of Fort Hare student Nosicelo Mtebeni was found last week. Her partner has been accused of the grisly crime.

“Recent events in our metro indicate that incidents of GBV and femicide are increasing. It is proving to be a deadly pandemic,” Pakati said.

“Our communities are always in mourning because of acts of barbarity by men — the people who are supposed to be the protectors of women.”

He urged community leaders to mobilise people to end GBV and femicide. 

“This is a sad state of affairs, and it is time for all of us to unite and fight the scourge. We must all make it known that there is no place for acts of violence against women in our city.”

The city, he said, aimed to play a big role in championing change. 

“We will enhance our law enforcement efforts, working with the SAPS, to ensure that these acts are decisively minimised. We should use the recent incidents to mobilise ourselves towards meaningful action to reclaim our communities from thugs.

“We should work collectively to end the entitlement of men; men who smell blood when a woman chooses no longer to be with them. There should be a thorough programme that changes the attitudes of men about women; more particularly, the practice and inculcation of toxic masculinity,” Pakati said.

It was concerning that many GBV victims were too afraid to open cases against perpetrators for fear of further victimisation. Women should not be manipulated into withdrawing cases, he added.

“I know that sometimes domestic violence cases are complex, but as communities we should stand up and alert law enforcement agencies about the toxic and abusive relationships we know of. 

“The police should have the duty of following up on these without doubting and condescendingly questioning the complainants. We should collectively enhance this partnership and fight to defeat GBV in our city.”