reinforced. GBV creates a climate of fear by victimising instead of empowering women and girls.” Unfortunately, it is not just GBV that is rife in South Africa. The country came under the harsh glare of the international community recently for the flare-up of violence and looting in Gauteng and other parts of the country. In the latest incident people were assaulted and their businesses looted in the Johannesburg CBD and surrounding suburbs, striking fear among residents and businesspeople alike. UJ described xenophobia as shameful. “The looting and assaults of people just because they were not born in South Africa can never be justified and amount to hate crime. Xenophobic violence undermines the rule of law and
– was killed by her policeman ex- boyfriend against whom she had got a protective order. Fourteen- year old Mallo was raped and her body was found with her head bashed in in her grand- mother’s yard. Police recorded 177 520 crimes against women in the 2017/18 financial year that ended in March. The statistics list 36 731 sexual offences, including rape and assault, and the murder of 2 639 women. UJ condemned the prevalent attacks on women and girls, saying such violence robbed women and girls of their futures and harmed families, communities, societies and institutions across generations. The University said this was unacceptable, and indeed abhorrent, that women were scared of simply walking in the streets. It said that even though the government had taken measures to develop laws, policies and programmes to respond to GBV, it remained one of the most prevalent human-rights violations in the country. “We believe that effective prosecution of perpetrators is an important deterrent that must be
Women and girls are not merely human chattels to be used, abused and even killed. But too often in South Africa that’s exactly what happens. GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE (GBV) IS AN EVER-RECURRING SCOURGE IN THE COUNTRY. GIRLS CAN’T PLAY OUTSIDE. WOMEN NO LONGER FEEL SAFE. The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is gravely concerned about the spate of GBV in the country, which seems to be escalating at an alarming rate. And that’s just the reported cases – what about the thousands of others who do not have a voice? Recent horrific cases include Uyinene Mrwetyana, Leighandre Jegels and Janika Mallo. Mrwetyana, a 19-year old University of Cape Town student, was raped and killed by a 42-year-old Post Office worker. Boxing champ Jegels – affectionately called Baby Lee
must be condemned in the strongest terms possible.”
The University added its voice to the national call to stop all acts of violence, intolerance and xenophobia. “In South Africa, where foreigners are easy targets, we need to exercise caution and act with restraint, even amid the social and economic problems we face. It
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