[WATCH] Men please keep zips closed, says Ramaphosa

Ramaphosa was speaking in Ekuruleni on Friday afternoon.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said the time has come for the country to take a firm stance against the perpetrators of gender-based violence.

Ramaphosa said the government supports the women who marched to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in Sandton to protest against gender-based violence and femicide.

While addressing the crowd in IsiZulu he said that men are the problem and need to practise restraint.

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"Comrades, during the past weeks we've seen reports of women being killed. Men have been killing women left right and centre. Men - we are the ones raping women. We cannot keep our zips closed.

"I am saying men please keep your zips closed.  If you want it then ask - maybe you will lucky and get some.  You must not take it by force. You shouldn't open your zip without the consent from your partner.

"And this thing of killing our women must come to an end."