By: Sello Theletsane
The Patriotic Alliance (PA) has welcomed the arrest of one of its members on Monday who downloaded pictures from the cellphone of the party’s Eldorado Park councillor and sent them to his own cellphone.
PA Secretary General Chinelle Stevens said the suspect sent the pictures to himself and went on to distribute them with the intention of making them viral. “This was an invasion of the councillor’s privacy, a violation of the POPI Act, and an attempt to destroy the councillor.” Stevens lauded Kliptown SAPS for taking swift action in the matter.
“We acknowledge that gender-based violence (GBV) presents itself in various forms and we strongly condemn any acts of this nature. On this day, 9 August 2022, celebrating Women’s Day nationally, we advocate for the protection of the rights of women in this country,” Stevens said.
“As the leadership of the PA, we will give our councillor all the necessary support to see this process through, and we won’t hesitate to take firm disciplinary action against any member of the PA who engages in acts of such gross abuse and violation of the rights of any fellow South African,” Stevens said.
Stevens also condemned “in the strongest terms possible” the gang-rape of eight young South African women by Lesotho Zama Zamas in the Krugersdorp area west of Joburg. “These horrific acts of brutality on the eve of Women’s Month are, shockingly what many women and girls go through in this country every day,” Stevens said.
She added: “The atrocious crimes that took place in Krugersdorp call for extra-ordinary steps that will send a strong message to would-be perpetrators that they will be severely punished for their crimes. ” Stevens also lashed out at Police Minister Bheki Cele who said in a television interview that a 19-year-old woman who was raped along with seven other women was “lucky to have been raped by one man, as opposed to several men.
“That such heartless and insensitive comments come from someone whose task is to bring perpetrators of gross human rights violations to book is a disgrace. For someone who is in a position of power to perpetuate rape culture and not be held accountable exposes the ANC’s unwillingness to tackle gender-based violence.”
Steven concluded: If they are serious about tackling the scourge of GBV, the ANC and its leader Cyril Ramaphosa must do the right and fire Minister Cele.”
Salute salute SG
Salute to woman empowerment. We all came from a woman💚✊🏾
Yes please fire this ignorant useless man
Salute SG… We shall not be quet..Justice for our women & children…
the only way to tackle GBVF is to remove toxic leadership that is supposed to prevent the scourge and all the forms of GBVF in our society.
I totally agree with our Leader Steven’s wa as women are struggling way to long from certain scumbags..it’s time to take a step-down if u can do ur work to ensure safety in our country and communities. An injury to one is an injury to all. Salute leaders ons biza nie.