Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has commended law enforcement agencies for their speedy arrest of the farm owners, who allegedly killed two Limpopo women.
The owners of Onverwacht farm, near Sebayeng, outside Polokwane, have appeared in court on charges of attempted murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm, and defeating the ends of justice.
“The ferocious murder of the two women confirms that South Africa is struggling to overcome the burden of race, class, and gender-based inequality inherited during the periods of colonialism and apartheid.
“Women in rural, remote and severely underprivileged areas remain one of the most vulnerable groups to violence in their communities and their homes,” Chikunga said.
Chikunga said violence against women has reached alarming proportions in South Africa and it affects all women in this country.
The Minister emphasised the need to give attention to the extent of the vulnerability of rural women and women living on farmlands to have access to the justice system.
She said unequal access to education, segregated communities and massive economic disparities persists particularly among rural women and women on farms who are the most marginalised groups of women in South Africa.
“Approximately 55.5% (30.3 million people) of the population is living in the national upper poverty line while a total of 13.8 million people (25%) is experiencing food poverty.
“Action has never been more urgent to reduce inequality in society, the department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities is leading the socio-economic empowerment of women youth and persons with disabilities, by ensuring that gender-responsive planning and budgeting becomes a norm for the whole country as it works towards ensuring equality,” Chikunga said.
The accused remained in custody and the case was postponed to 30 August 2024. – SAnews.gov.za
