The women, Anna Dichwele and Nkgono Matsoso, were among senior citizens as Ntombela and the provincial government held its gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) awareness campaign in the Qwaqwa-based Maluti-A-Phofung Local Municipality in the Free State. 

The awareness campaign was held to highlight the plight of older persons and communities.

The gathering also held a moment of silence to remember and honour the elderly whose lives were ended through acts of violence. 

The province, like many others in the country, has been battling the serious violence against women and children recently. In August, 28-year-old Lekgotla Molahlehi Samuel Moeti appeared in the Botshabelo Magistrate’s Court for the murder of his 65-year-old mother.

ALSO READ: Free State men appeared in court for allegedly murdering mothers

Another suspect, 42-year-old Lebohang Samuel Tsumane, also appeared before the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court for allegedly strangling his 71-year-old mother to death.

In February this year, a 65-year-old woman, Nomvula Nthabi, was found murdered in JB Mafora in Bloemfontein.

ALSO READ: FS premier pays emotional tribute to murder victim

In January, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law legislation aimed at strengthening efforts to end gender-based violence, with a victim-centered focus on combating this dehumanising pandemic.

The enacted legislation is a deliverable from the National Strategic Plan of GBVF, which was called for at the November 2018 Presidential Summit against GBVF.

OFM News