Community protests gender-based violence

Video

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS AND VIDEO - At least 100 members of the Graaff-Reinet community gathered in front of the Magistrate’s Court on Church Street this morning (11 August) to protest against gender-based violence.

The protest follows the arrest of two alleged rapists, accused of raping three women, aged 25, 30 and 31, after robbing them of their belongings.

The suspects, arrested on Saturday, are to appear in court today.

The protesters insist they must not receive bail and that police presence in Graaff-Reinet must be improved.

“[We] demand strong sentencing for those found guilty of gender-based violence in all forms,” said Ward Councillor Joy Williams, reading from the memorandum which the protesters delivered to the court.

“Government is responsible for the safety and security of its citizens and government is failing in its duty.”

Protesters arrive on Church Street with a police escort.

MP Samantha Graham-Maré also addressed the crowd: “We stand together as women to say that enough is enough. We can’t be scared our entire lives.” Graham-Maré plans to take the matter to Parliament.

Williams could not confirm the number of signatures that the protest’s petition received, and will clarify this at a later stage.

Watch a video below.