Ramaphosa: Abuse, rape and killing of women not our heritage

President Cyril Ramaphosa has said that the brutal killing and abuse of South African women was not a reflection of the country’s heritage and culture, adding he was ashamed of reported incidents of women being murdered by men while emphasising that women have a right to live in a free and safe society.

Speaking at the National Heritage Day celebrations at Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, on Thursday, where thousands of community members including government officials had gathered, Ramaphosa urged the country to ensure that women enjoy a safe society as part of their heritage.

“The abuse, the rape and the killing of our women is not our Heritage. Our forebears did not abuse, rape and kill the women of this country. Our forebears were against the killing and the raping of the women of South Africa. There is no culture worthy of the name that distinguishes the dignity of women,” he said.

“The pain and suffering that the women of South Africa have been put through stands out as a national shame. I am ashamed of what men are doing to the women of South Africa. The women of South Africa have the right to walk the streets of their country at any hour, any minute, without any fear.”

This comes as the country is reeling from shock after 9 dead bodies were discovered dumped at various areas in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, in the past week or two. This has prompted women activists, NGOs, community leaders and ministers to raise concerns about women’s safety in the area and the country generally.

Earlier this week on Monday, 2 women and one man were arrested in connection to the murder of one of the women found ditched in Ekurhuleni and briefly appeared at the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court. Developments on the other cases remain elusive as investigations are ongoing.

Ramaphosa said, in a few days’ time, he will address the nation in relation to the steps that government is embarking on to confront the scourge of Gender-based violence and Femicide (GBVF) and also provide an update on the investigation into the killings of women in Ekurhuleni.

The president proceeded to make a declaration during his keynote address, stating that “violence against women will not be part of the inheritance we leave to the next generation of South Africans. Enough is enough; we must bring GBV to an end as South Africans.”