Noluthando Mchunu
Police in uMthwalume, on the KZN South Coast, are appealing to victims of gender-based violence not to withdraw cases against alleged perpetrators.
This follows a peaceful prayer session held by the uMthwalume community amid a rise in murders in the area.
Police say 69 people have been killed in Hibberdene since January last year, with most of the cases believed to be linked to gender-based violence.
Speaking during the prayer session, Captain Ntokozo Ngcobo of the Gamalakhe Police Station says perpetrators often evade justice because victims withdraw cases before they reach court.
Ngcobo is urging victims to remain committed to the legal process and allow police and the courts to deal with those accused of violence.
“So when this person comes gets paid on the 25th or on the 15th you come back and withdraw the case. On the day you opened the case you came holding your arm and your eye sticking out,”
“We open the case for you and when it’s time to appear in court, you come back to withdraw the case because its close to pay day and you will no longer get your allowance,” said Ngcobo
Against the backdrop of the country’s ongoing gender-based violence crisis, calls for victims to pursue cases rather than withdraw them have renewed attention on the need for stronger support and accountability for survivors.
