Violence against men a reality

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Gender-based violence is a deep-seated social illness that has plagued South African women for many years.

Women have grown familiar with the fear that they may be the next victim of violence at the hands of men. The reality, however, is that gender-based violence can go both ways but stories of violence against men at the hands of women are seldom told.

EFF fighter, Anele Ngoyo, has spoken out on the issue after the alleged murder of Olwethu Masetywa (33) by his girlfriend, Vuyokazi Tini (25), in uMasizakhe on Monday 21 February. According to Ngoyo, nobody takes the issue of violence against men seriously.

"We are seen as weak if we talk about it. Even when you go to the police station to open a case people are laughing at you and mocking you."

Olwethu, commonly known as Oscar, was a general worker at Nqweba Secondary School and is described as a kind-hearted and gentle young man who treated everyone with respect. It is alleged that Oscar suffered abuse at the hands of his girlfriend for an extended period and that his girlfriend's abusive behaviour became so severe that his mother applied for a protection order to prevent her from entering the family home where Oscar lived.

It is further alleged that Oscar's girlfriend told his mother that she is going to kill him the day before she allegedly murdered him.

The allegation that the police witnessed Oscar's murder as he was stabbed at the time when he attempted to stop a passing police vehicle to seek assistance could not be confirmed.

The accused appeared before the court on Tuesday 22 February and her bail hearing was set for Tuesday 1 March.

Ngoyo and others who are deeply saddened by Oscar's untimely death gathered outside the Graaff-Reinet Magistrates Court on Tuesday calling for #JusticeforOscar and imploring the Department of Justice to deny bail for the accused.

The bail hearing was postponed to Tuesday 8 March and the accused remains in custody.

Olwethu Masetywa will be laid to rest on Saturday 5 March.

Anele Ngoyo addresses the crowd outside the Magistrates Court on Tuesday.