Mayor calls for stronger action against GBV perpetrators

Johannesburg – Mayor Geoff Makhubo has called on the state to mete out harsher punishment for perpetrators of gender-based violence (GBV).

  Makhubo has also encouraged Joburg residents to fight the scourge of GBV.

  The mayor was speaking outside the home of 61-year-old Juliette Dakada, who was allegedly assaulted, raped and stabbed to death during an armed robbery at her house in Dobsonville Soweto, last Friday. He visited the bereaved family on Sunday, accompanied by Community Development MMC Margaret Arnolds and Health and Social Development MMC Eunice Mgcina.

  The suspects are alleged to have also raped her 21-year-old granddaughter, leading her to be hospitalised.

  “We need to stop the killing of women and children in our society. We need to condemn in the strongest terms the crime committed against this family, and crimes committed against women and children in general by men,” he said.

  Makhubo said the granddaughter who survived the ordeal will receive all the necessary therapeutic support from the municipality. He added that government needs to act strongly against femicide.

  “We are saddened by what happened to the Dakada family, we wish them well.”

  Council Speaker Nonceba Molwele has called for more police visibility and an increase in the protection of women and children.