HOSPERSA CONDEMNS ASSAULT ON A WOMAN BY HIGHER EDUCATION DEPUTY MINISTER
Hospersa has come out strongly against the Deputy Minister of Higher Education for allegedly assaulting a woman at a social club in Johannesburg. The Union has called for tough action to be taken against the Deputy Minister to send a strong message against gender-based violence on women and children.
Hospersa has been angered by the Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Mduduzi Manana, over the reported assault against a woman on Sunday at Cubana, a popular social club in Fourways, Johannesburg. The incident has sparked public outrage due to the violent conduct of the Deputy Minister against a defenseless woman. It is reported that the woman suffered bruises to her face, neck and knees as result of the attack. Hospersa has joined calls asking for the Deputy Minister to be brought to book for his actions.
“We call on government to take tough action against the Deputy Minister,” said Hospersa National Youth Coordinator Mzukisi Jam. “Gender-based violence on women should not be tolerated and this incident provides government with an opportunity to send a clear message to perpetrators. It would normalise these violent acts and send a discouraging message to other victims of abuse should government fail to take decisive action against the Deputy Minister,” argued Jam.
Hospersa has been vocal on the recent spate of attacks on women and children. In June, the Union joined the Matlosana Municipality in the North West province in a march against gender-based violence on women and children. The Union handed a memorandum to the South African Police Services (SAPS) calling for a tougher stance against perpetrators of these violent crimes.
“The increasing rate of attacks on women and children in South Africa is a cause for concern,” said Jam. “According to the South African Demographic and Health Survey 2016 Key Indicators Report released on 15 May 2017, one in every five South African women older than 18 years has experienced physical violence, and 8% report that they experienced physical violence in the past 12 months,” added Jam.
“It would be inconceivable to celebrate women’s month without voicing out against the abuse suffered by women and children in our country. We call on all South Africans, civil society organisations and political organisations to unite in the fight against gender-based violence on women and children. We also call on the country’s judiciary to exercise the full might of the law against those found guilty of these violent crimes.,” concluded Jam.