Social development minister, Lindiwe Zulu, on her visit to the family of Tshepang Pitse in Moruleng near Rustenburg, who was slain and some of her body parts left in the refrigerator, called for new approach on handling gender based violence because the incidents of violence are getting more brazen.

“Without fail, every year before the start of 16 days of activism, we have to visit a family and say the same thing.”  All our campaigns of no violence against women and children are preceded by a funeral of a woman with shocking details.  “It has to stop. We must go back to the crossroads, engage the society in dialogue and bring new solutions”.  “Families must not protect or hide suspicious behaviour of perpetrators who are often closer in relation to their victims”.

“We must not normalise abuse by wrongly referencing culture because those horrendous acts were never part of any African culture”.  “We spare a thought for the police officials who had an unenviable task of putting together the dismembered body parts”, says Zulu adding that: “The young lady who made a gruesome discovery will receive counselling”.

The uncle of the deceased, Mabe Pitse says she was still young but her boyfriend had sweet talked her into cohabitation.  “We still cannot make sense of what could lead someone to such unheard of behaviour.” The pain is unbearable and we hope and pray for justice for our beloved daughter.

Tshepang Pitse originally from Moruleng, was discovered dismembered in a fridge in Protea Glen near Soweto, Gauteng province, by the girlfriend of her alleged killer a fortnight ago.

Before the visit, the minister had spent an afternoon with North West Social Development MEC Boitumelo Moiloa and Moses Kotane mayor, Clr Nketu Nkotswe at Siyanda Bakgatla Platinum mine, where they kick-started the 16 days of activism.

The focus was on men to take a new look at how they should step up and lead peaceful families.  Zulu has urged the state organs to lead effective and responsive approach on any gender related abuse”.

ENDS

Issued by the Department of Social Development