A GENDER justice organisation is calling for the dismissal of Police Minister Bheki cele.
The National Shelter Movement of South Africa (NSMSA) handed over an open letter to the president’s office at the Union Buildings in Tshwane on Wednesday, 31 August.
The organisation said the government had failed to stopthe country’s gender-based violence and femicide pandemic., which was spiralling out of control.
The organisation said it was encouraged by the fact that it started a petition earlier last month and it got more than 63 000 signatures in three weeks.
NSMSA executive head Zubeda Dangor said they wanted Cele to be removed.
“Cele has made some inappropriate remarks to a rape survivor.
“What message is the minister sending to the country?
“We have the highest rape statistics in the world, according to InterpolWe want President Cyril Ramaphosa to act decisively,” she said.
Dangor said resources needed to be allocated to a national strategic plan to tackle the problem.
She said that Ramaphosa needed to know the whole country was a danger zone for women.
“Women can’t walk freely or on their own without being robbed, raped and abused,” she said.
Dangor said that Ramaphosa needed to act decisively to replace Cele. She said although they were not giving the president any time frame, they would continue to follow up on the matter.
“We want the president to replace Cele with someone who can do the job responsibly.
“It’s outrageous for Cele to say a woman was lucky to be raped by just one man,” she said.
Dangor said Cele had failed to effectively deal with the war on women and girls and his recent statements showed his lack of empathy for those on the receiving end of gender-based violence.
Tshwane Leadership Foundation representative Dineo Motau said there was no justice for women. “We need Cele to be dismissed!” she said. and for him to be replaced by someone who can do a better job
Shonisani Mudau received the letter on behalf of the president.
