“We desperately need increased community mobilisation to combat gender-based violence and positively influence youth in South Africa” said Kelly Baloyi following the brutal murder of an 89-year-old woman that was beaten to death with a chair this past weekend in Rawsonville, in the Western Cape.
A 15-year-old male suspect was arrested and charged for murder and house robbery shortly after the incident.
“Rural communities are often overlooked with regards to gender-based violence, in this case it was gender-based violence during a horrific farm attack”, added Kelly Baloyi, spokesperson for Action Society.
The suspect must face the full consequences of his actions. However as a society we must deal with the root causes of why the youth is involved in these horrific crimes.
“We can prevent many of these crimes through improved community involvement, dealing with the root causes of these violent crimes. If not, the most vulnerable citizens of our country will continue to bear the brunt thereof,” concluded Baloyi.
