TRADITIONAL Affairs MEC Sipho Hlomuka has visited Harry Gwala district after 68 cases of sexual abuse were reported over a period of three months.
Speaking on Tuesday at an imbizo attended by mayors, councillors and amakhosi, he called on men to fight abuse.
He was responding to a report from the district task team on Operation Sukuma Sakhe.
The ward-based project speeds up government response to residents’ needs through war rooms attended by municipal and government officials.
Addressing the imbizo at Morningside Community Hall in Ixopo, Hlomuka said: “It is worrying that women and kids are sexual abuse victims.
“Perpetrators should be arrested and families that shield them must face the same fate.”
He condemned ukuthwala.
“This is a cowardly act and we must work with communities to ensure there are consequences for those who practise it and undermine women and kids’ rights.”
The MEC praised the hard work being done in the district, where over 85% of wards have war rooms.
Resident Muzikayifani Khuluse (54) said most violence experienced by women and children was from men they knew.
“We hear of fathers killing their children and men killing their partners.
“We’re losing more and more people at the hands of their violent partners.
“Men must take a stand and fight the abuse.”
