ANCWL calls for action against gender based violence
The ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) on Tuesday called on all South Africans to tackle gender based violence in the wake of the court appearance of Sindisiwe Manqele, the women accused of killing former hip hop rapper Nonkululeko “Flabba” Habedi.
Manqele is expected to give evidence in her defense on Tuesday in the High Court sitting in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.
The ANCWL said it “welcomes” the court proceedings against Manqele, who was allegedly in a relationship with the rapper of the famed Skwatta Kamp group.
“It is also with great concern and disappointment to learn of the case against one of our ANC Youth Leader, Mr. Patrick Wisani, Branch Chairperson for ANCYL who allegedly beat his girlfriend to death with a sjambok,” said the league in a statement issued by its Secretary General Meokgo Matuba.
The ANCWL said it remained “resolute and unshaken” in the belief of a society free from all kinds of abuse, crime and acts of injustice against any form of human kind.
“We should take lead at the front through noble illustrations, even if such acts are committed by our very own leaders or members of the African National Congress.”
The league said it noted the high number of deaths that occur on a daily basis on gender based violence. It urged authorities to consider “more educative platforms” to help free society from “this infested malady”.
“We still remain unshaken and believe that if found guilty in the eyes of the law, fibrous measures should be tightened at all levels against such insidious acts. The league said gender based violence should not only be a concern for the ANC and law enforcers, but for every South African,” the ANCWL said.
It also expressed its “heartfelt condolences to both families of the bereaved”.
Manqele has pleaded not guilty and instead claimed she was defending herself from her violent lover when she stabbed him at his home in Alexandra on March 9. The popular musician was stabbed in the chest.