MINISTER of Women, Children and People with Disabilities Lulu Xingwana has called for the re-establishment of family violence, child protection and sexual offences units within the South African Police Service.
Xingwana was reacting to Sowetan's report about a Pretoria woman who was burnt to death, allegedly by her husband.
Agnes Ramagoshi, 45, of Block L Soshanguve, north of Pretoria, was set alight on June 15. Her husband, a primary school deputy principal, is alleged to have doused his sick wife with petrol and set her alight during an argument. Ramagoshi will be buried on Saturday in Soshanguve.
Xingwana said she was concerned about the rising trend of domestic violence and women abuse. She said she was confident the strengthening of law enforcement measures, particularly the re-establishment of family violence, child protection and sexual offences units, would assist in turning the tide against these crimes.
"We are concerned at the growing reports of women who continue to die at the hands of their partners, and children being killed or abused by people who were supposed to protect and love them. Many of these cases point to a deterioration of the moral fibre of our society. We urge members of our communities to join hands with government in order to help defeat the scourge of child and women abuse."
She reiterated her call to the courts to ensure they impose the heaviest possible sentence against those found guilty of women and child abuse.
"This will send a clear message to all would-be perpetrators that our society and justice system will not tolerate these crimes. We urge law enforcement agencies to do everything in their power to ensure that Ms Ramagoshi and other victims of crime get justice. We have confidence that those found guilty of these heinous crimes will face the full wrath of our criminal justice system."
Xingwana said cases of women murder increased by 5.6% and sexual offences against children increased by 2.6% in 2010/2011, compared to 2009/2010.
Sowetan also recently reported that a Pretoria man shot his wife and fatally stabbed their daughter before committing suicide.
Minister calls for specialised crime units
MINISTER of Women, Children and People with Disabilities Lulu Xingwana has called for the re-establishment of family violence, child protection and sexual offences units within the South African Police Service.
Xingwana was reacting to Sowetan's report about a Pretoria woman who was burnt to death, allegedly by her husband.
Agnes Ramagoshi, 45, of Block L Soshanguve, north of Pretoria, was set alight on June 15. Her husband, a primary school deputy principal, is alleged to have doused his sick wife with petrol and set her alight during an argument. Ramagoshi will be buried on Saturday in Soshanguve.
Xingwana said she was concerned about the rising trend of domestic violence and women abuse. She said she was confident the strengthening of law enforcement measures, particularly the re-establishment of family violence, child protection and sexual offences units, would assist in turning the tide against these crimes.
"We are concerned at the growing reports of women who continue to die at the hands of their partners, and children being killed or abused by people who were supposed to protect and love them. Many of these cases point to a deterioration of the moral fibre of our society. We urge members of our communities to join hands with government in order to help defeat the scourge of child and women abuse."
She reiterated her call to the courts to ensure they impose the heaviest possible sentence against those found guilty of women and child abuse.
"This will send a clear message to all would-be perpetrators that our society and justice system will not tolerate these crimes. We urge law enforcement agencies to do everything in their power to ensure that Ms Ramagoshi and other victims of crime get justice. We have confidence that those found guilty of these heinous crimes will face the full wrath of our criminal justice system."
Xingwana said cases of women murder increased by 5.6% and sexual offences against children increased by 2.6% in 2010/2011, compared to 2009/2010.
Sowetan also recently reported that a Pretoria man shot his wife and fatally stabbed their daughter before committing suicide.
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