KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube has vehemently condemned the violence against women and children which continues unabated as a Grade 12 female learner, who was brutally assaulted by a mob of boys from her school, fights for her life in hospital.

After receiving reports of the incident Premier Dube-Ncube, who was chairing the Provincial Executive Council Sitting today immediately left the meeting and went to Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital to visit the Grade 12 learner.

The Premier was joined by MEC of Health Nomagugu Simelane, MEC Social Development Nonhlanhla Khoza, MEC of Education Mbali Frazer, the Director-General Dr Nonhlanhla Mkhize and HOD for Health Dr Sandile Tshabalala.

Speaking after her visit to days before the commencement of the 16 days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign, Premier Dube-Ncube said: “We are very disturbed about the assault of the 19-year-old female learner who was assaulted immediately after she finished writing her IsiZulu matric paper. The pain and suffering this young girl has had to endure at the hands of her fellow school mates is deplorable. The Provincial Government is providing all the necessary assistance including psychosocial support for both the young girl and her family. It is unfortunate that she will not be able to finish writing her matric examinations, but the Department of Education will make arrangements for her to write her matric examinations next year. Sadly, this incident is happening at a time when we are heightening our campaign of no violence against women and children. We are appealing to our communities to have a zero tolerance stance against people who abuse women, children, learners, people with disabilities and the elderly. We will spare no effort to eradicate the scourge of violence against women and children wherever it raises its ugly head,” said Premier Dube-Ncube.

According to police reports the learner was approached by the suspects who accused her of stealing a cellphone. The female learner was taken to J-Section in Umlazi where she was threatened with a firearm and assaulted. Bhekithemba Police Station arrested four suspects aged between 17 and 24 for pointing of a firearm and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. They appeared in the Umlazi Magistrates Court on 21 November 2022.

“As government we will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that all the perpetrators are brought to book. We are aware that police have made arrests in connection to the case, but we also know that there is a suspect who is still at large. We thank police for the speedy arrests of the suspects but we are appealing to them to look for those that are not yet behind bars so that we send a strong message that our law enforcement agencies will go out in full force to apprehend perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence,” said Premier Dube-Ncube.

The Premier said the provincial government was determined to continue with its resolve to deal with the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide, which according to the latest crime statistics is on a record high in Umlazi and Inanda.

Ends

Issued by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government on behalf of Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube