PRESS STATEMENT BY
INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY WEST RAND REGION
IFP PROTEST MARCH AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILD ABUSE
Johannesburg, 05 June 2002
The Inkatha Freedom Party recognises that incidents of rape, physical,
verbal and emotional abuse and other forms of harassment against women and children are prevalent in our society and must be stopped.The IFP believes that words cannot adequately describe the degree of
wickedness and depravity of the people who perpetrate crimes of rape, violence and abuse against our women and children. These criminals are enemies of the people and it is for that reason that every potential rapist or abuser must, in every strongest possible way, be made aware that abuse of women and children in our society is totally unacceptable.The IFP once again registers its support of all efforts aimed at breaking this cycle of cowardly crimes and vows that it will not tolerate the abuse of women and children; that it will not turn a blind eye and nor will we remain silent. The IFP declares war against perpetrators of abuse and will expose culprits, wherever they are found, and that our members will give maximum assistance to the police in bringing them to book.
To demonstrate its determination to protect the women and children, the IFP will embark on a protest march in Soweto on Saturday 08 June 2002 to enhance the awareness of society. The protest march is aimed at sending the message to the potential abuser, the government and every decent South African.
That if you commit such a monstrous crime:
You will be caught;
You will prosecuted; and
You will be punished with the utmost severity.
That the government must show its determination by ensuring:
Tough action by the police;
Severe sentences from the courts; and
Provide resources necessary to hunt down the perpetrators.
That every decent South African should with conviction commit to protect
women and children against violence, rape and abuse. In that they must:Expose perpetrators of these vile crimes and not turn a blind eye;
Provide the police with information upon which to make arrests; and
Provide necessary support to victims who have undergone the trauma.
The IFP believes that only the full commitment of every decent South African to stamp out this wickedness will achieve success. The IFP calls upon all our communities to stand together as one, united in our determination to root out this monstrous evil in our midst.
Contact:
Mxolisi Thunzi - 083 675 4344
Publicity Secretary
West Rand Region (Johannesburg)
Bonginkosi Dlamini MP - 083 254 8576