WATCH | Pensioner spends chilly night chained to parly's railings in gender-violence protest

Cape Town pensioner Venetia Orgill gave up her bed and spent Thursday night chained to the fence outside parliament.

On Friday, Orgill, 62, said the rape and murder of women gave her sleepless nights. She decided to show authorities that women and children are prisoners in their own homes.

“[My close relatives] are victims of rape and the cases are pending in court,” she said.

“The plight of women and children, in general, is overwhelming. We are hoping that the government can declare a state of emergency.  

"The reason we decided to stage the protest at night is because women are being murdered and raped at night and our bodies are discovered in the morning."

Orgill, from Mitchells Plain, said she was undeterred by police who paced around her during her protest.

There has been heavy police presence in the Cape Town CBD this week. Police have had their hands full as throngs of protesters against women abuse marched on parliament and the World Economic Forum on Africa at Cape Town International Convention Centre.

This followed the murder of University of Cape Town student Uyinene Mrwetyana, allegedly by a post office clerk.

“The police did not speak to me personally but they spoke to people gathered around me," said Orgill.

"They wanted to know who is the organiser and for how long we will be there. They couldn't determine who is the organiser and they just left."

Orgill said she would chain herself up again as long the scourge persists.