South Africans have called for action against gender-based violence from the government. This follows the of the rape and murder of UCT student, Uyinene Mrwetyana at a Post Office in Claremont. The 19-year-old was reported missing for a week before the police arrested the suspect.
Since the news broke, many have taken to social media to call for the government to take a decisive action against the abuse and murder of women and children.
Here’s a look at what has been said.
It is breathtakingly unconscionable that the official @GovernmentZA is tweeting this as if you are helpless to do anything about it. As if you are hamstrung to offer more than condolences and condemnation. As if countless women are not dying DAILY. DO?? SOMETHING?? https://t.co/1y3vIwGCTW
— Nolwazi Tusini (@NolwAzi_Tusini) September 3, 2019
All of you @GovernmentZA don’t give a fuck about the women of this country!! Nothing!!! We are dying daily and it continues because men have been shown and know very well that our government supports and protects rapists, abusers and murderers!!! @PresidencyZA
— #BAKAE OUT NOW (@Boity) September 2, 2019
The ‘statement of condemnation and condolences’ from government as political ritual long reached its sell-by date. We ought to be seeing a ‘statement of intent’ to do this that and the other in terms of law. Including a declaration of a State of Emergency with accompanying action
— The Native (@Zuko_Godlimpi) September 2, 2019
#TheTotalShutdown Intersectional Women’s Movement Media statement.
“For how long will @GovernmentZA condemn violence instead of acting to end this scourge?”#24Demands#WeMarchedBut#UyineneMrwetyana pic.twitter.com/9kMNFjo4lD
— #TheTotalShutdown (@WomenProtestSA) September 3, 2019
SEE ALSO: Gender-based violence on university campuses in the spotlight again
— Koleka Putuma (@KPutuma) September 2, 2019
The state is directly complicit in us getting raped & killed. Women came out about Luyanda, but as per usual, Luyanda, like 98% others who don’t get convicted for rape, come back into our communities to terrorize us further. There’s no consequence for terror against women.
— Naledi Chirwa (@NalediChirwa) September 2, 2019
We live in a country where it’s not a case of IF you become a victim of rape and murder, IF you become one of the ever-increasing statistics on the page, but WHEN. My heart aches for the women of South Africa, those alive and those taken before their time… #UyineneMrwetyana
— Am I Next? (@RobynPorteous) September 2, 2019
The murder of #UyineneMrwetyana further remind us of the disregard of women’s life. Women of all generations are at risk as we learnt from Dr Thandi Ndlovu’s life. A national emergency must be declared https://t.co/2yDGPlZLGj
— Phumzile Mlambo (@phumzileunwomen) September 2, 2019
SEE ALSO: Celebs show their support for #TotalShutDown march
fixed it for you. pic.twitter.com/MW5fFbKKAA
— texxpacito (@texxonfire) September 3, 2019
This is the thing we need to understand. She died because she came into contact with that man. No other reason. https://t.co/pBx3CHjOu0
— Mpumi (@Mpum_mpum) September 2, 2019
Research & country examples have apparently shown that the death penalty DOES NOT decrease criminality in a society…but can we bring back the death penalty in SA?!…I just want to see something! Sikhathele. Enough is enough! #AmINext https://t.co/5WNl6RVgq4
— Kgomotso Christopher (@kgchristopher) September 3, 2019
It cannot be that 25yrs into our democracy South Africa is at war with it’s women.The gruesome, deplorable, diabolical murder of #UyineneMrwetyana is beyond gut wrenching. Enough is enough! Senzeni na ???Condolences to her family. May her precious soul Rest In Peace!???
— Basetsana Kumalo (@basetsanakumalo) September 2, 2019
We are womxn. We are Uyinene. We are vulnerable. None of us is safe. Position doesn’t matter. We are all in danger. #AmINext #RIPUyinene #UyineneMrwetyana #stopviolenceagainstwomen ?? pic.twitter.com/gmG65QPB5I
— Mamokgethi Phakeng (@FabAcademic) September 3, 2019
SEE ALSO: POWA launches an anti-violence app
Patriarchy wants us to believe that rape has always existed and always will. That rape is intrinsic to masculinity. This myth serves patriarchy by transferring all consequences of rape, including shame and blame, onto victims. Patriarchy stays unaccountable.#UyineneMrwetyana
— Shailja Patel (@shailjapatel) September 3, 2019
