The president made it clear that murderers, child abusers and rapists have no place in society while addressing the residents of the grieve stricken township at the W.J. Clements Stadium.
In a quest for a safer and violence free South Africa, Zuma urged young men to commit themselves to becoming activists against gender based violence. This message was also directed at every citizen of the country; hence the theme of this year’s campaign is “Count Me In”.
Zuma discouraged alcohol and drug abuse and sighted them as some of the key factors that spark domestic violence. He vehemently disapproved of parents who leave their children home alone; according to the president such parents are as guilty as those who commit crime to children. In his speech he told Reiger Park residents to speak out even if the perpetrator is a family member.
“We are sending out a clear message that abusers, murderers and rapists have no place in our communities. Let us work with police and the courts to ensure that the perpetrators are convicted. The re-establishment of Sexual Offences Court has been prioritised by the government. Through this, government intends to reduce secondary trauma and also to reduce the turnaround time to convict,” said President Zuma.
The brutal and senseless killings of Taegrin Morris, Siphamandla Madikane and Curburne van Wyk were also on the president’s agenda. “Premier Makhura promised that the provincial task team will do anything possible to apprehend the perpetrators who committed these crimes. We share the pain of loss of the children in this community (Reiger Park) and countrywide,” Zuma said.
Executive Mayor of Ekurhuleni, Cllr Mondli Gungubele said this launch could not have taken place at in a better community, considering the brutality meted out on children by criminals there in recent months.
“We all have the responsibility of making sure that everyone feels safe in our streets, homes and all public spaces. We must take back our streets and public spaces from criminals,” said Gungubele.
“It is as fact that our area of Reiger Park has been in the news for all the wrong reasons lately, especially when it comes to crime against children. Let us therefore put a stop to this anarchy together,” said Gungubele, adding that to date he is still trying to get to terms with the senseless murders of the three children who lost their lives too early due to crime.
