KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Honourable Thamsanqa Ntuli, called for urgent interventions to address the high number of reported rape and sexual offence cases in the uMzinyathi District.

Premier Ntuli made the call while leading a Crime-Fighting Imbizo at the Nquthu Sports Ground, where communities, traditional leaders, law-enforcement authorities and other stakeholders gathered to discuss crime and public safety challenges affecting the district.

During the engagement, Acting KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner, Major General Phumelele Makhoba, presented a report indicating that 93 rape cases and 15 sexual offence cases had been reported in the district during the previous quarter.

Premier Ntuli expressed serious concern about the figures and called on Major General Makhoba and the provincial police leadership to develop an urgent plan aimed at addressing the prevalence of rape and sexual violence in the district.

The Premier emphasised that the reported figures demanded a focused and coordinated response involving law enforcement and all sectors of society.

He reiterated that Gender-Based Violence and Femicide could not be addressed by the police alone and required stronger cooperation between civil society, law-enforcement agencies, Amakhosi, Izinduna, communities and all spheres of government.

Premier Ntuli said traditional leadership had a particularly important role to play in mobilising communities, engaging men and boys and promoting values centred on the dignity, safety and protection of women and children.

His call reinforced the objectives of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government’s 365-day Silwa Nechilo campaign, which seeks to maintain sustained action against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide throughout the year.

The Premier stressed that government and its partners needed to strengthen prevention initiatives while ensuring that victims of sexual violence were supported and that reported cases received the necessary attention from the criminal justice system.

The Nquthu Crime-Fighting Imbizo formed part of the Provincial Government’s broader programme of working directly with communities and law-enforcement agencies to identify crime challenges and develop locally responsive interventions.

Premier Ntuli called for greater collaboration, accountability and urgency in addressing GBV&F, emphasising that communities must work collectively to create an environment in which women and children are safe.

The Provincial Government reaffirmed its commitment to working with law enforcement, traditional leaders, civil society and communities to intensify the fight against GBV&F across uMzinyathi District and KwaZulu-Natal.

KwaZulu-Natal, Inspiring New Hope.

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