Pretoria - Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana has urged law enforcement agencies to do everything in their power to ensure that Agnes Ramagoshi and other victims of crime get justice.
Expressing sadness at the death of Pretorian community builder and human rights activist, Ramagoshi, who was allegedly doused with petrol and set alight by her husband, Xingwana said the department was concerned at the growing reports of women who died at the hands of their partners.
"Many of these cases point to a deterioration of the moral fibre of our society. We urge members of our communities to join hands with government in order to help defeat the scourge of child and women abuse," said Xingwana.
Ramagoshi's husband has since been arrested and charged with murder.
Xingwana said she was confident that the strengthening of law enforcement measures, particularly the re-establishment of Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) units within the SAPS would assist in turning the tide against violence crimes against women and children.
During the launch of the Women's Month, the minister announced that government was taking the war against gender-based violence to a higher level and Cabinet had approved the establishment of the National Council against Gender-based Violence, which is a high-level, multi-sectoral national response to the scourge.
"Led by the Deputy President, we are confident that the work of the Council will lead to a significant reduction in the incidents of violence against women and children," Xingwana said at the time.
The National Council against Gender-Based Violence will be launched on 25 August 2012.
Xingwana reiterated the call to the courts to ensure that they imposed the heaviest possible sentenced on those found guilty of women and child abuse.
"This will send a clear message to all would-be perpetrators that our society and justice system will not tolerate these crimes."
