By Dan L Nkosi
There are many South Africans who, for good reason, are no longer moved when politicians open their months to speak about or against gender-based violence. This is partly because many politicians seem not to even hear themselves – never mind understand themselves – when they make their rhetoric.
It strikes many in society that they do this for no other reason than the proverbial “political correctness”, to make the right sounds, so they can sound credible. It is action that lends meaning to intent. Declared intent with no corresponding action is mute.
The problem is that while politicians appear to be mostly about making the right sounds, women and children are faced with the unprecedented threat of Covid-19 on one side and the ever-present threat on their lives posed by their male counterparts and, in the case of children, by sadistic men.
The reality is that the country seems to be more concerned about the human rights of murderers, rapists and child molesters.
Gender-based violence has reached extreme proportions, way beyond the reach of the policing and justice system’s capabilities. This might be the reason many cases go unreported.
We owe it to the women and children to tell them that, while we are human too and too good to consider bringing back the death penalty, what exactly is it that is being done to keep them safe, that it is working and they will, sooner, rather than later, be safe.
The paradox of the situation is that the death penalty is applied every day – not by judges but by unscrupulous criminals on innocent citizens.
We need to do it right, to put the issue in the hands of judges and focus on the murders, rapists and child molesters. For this to happen, we need leaders.
The Star