violence

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) says an increase in serious and violent crime in South Africa shows that government's approach to crime is not working.
 
ISS analyst, Gareth Newham, points out that, “After a long period of decreases in serious and violent crime, these are the worst figures we have seen in 10 years.”
 
Newham argues that violence remains ‘unacceptably’ high and should be treated as a serious crisis which stands in the way of South Africa's social and economic development.
 

Women and children's lobby groups have slammed the release of Cezanne Visser who is dubbed 'Advocate Barbie'.

The department says Visser, who has served half her sentence, has complied with the requirements for her release, after serving a seven-year jail term on 11 charges, including two of indecently assaulting an eleven-year-old girl and a 14-year-old.

The Department of Correctional Services has defended its decision to release 'Advocate Barbie' saying she is not likely to commit the same crime.

Graça Machel, wife of former president Nelson Mandela, says she is ashamed that issues of gender inequality in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have not ceased.

Machel is of the view that efforts by the United Nations Security Council to see a decrease in rape in the DRC have not yet yielded any success.

Speaking at the Young Women in Dialogue conference held in Freedom Park, Pretoria, Machel noted that while the country upheld customary laws, some of those laws still perceive women in an inferior manner.

The extent of cyber bullying in South Africa is understated, but it is clear that the problem is growing, according to Riaan Rudman, lecturer at Stellenbosch University.

Rudman points out that, "The full extent of cyber bullying (being broadly defined) in South Africa is unclear. It is however clear that the phenomenon is growing."

He states that cyber bullying is broadly defined as personal harassment via a digital platform, including SMS, e-mail and social media networks.

Gun Free South Africa (GFSA) calls for an immediate moratorium on the issuing of all firearm licenses, permits and certificates.

The organisation argues that this will allow investigators to fully uncover the extent of alleged fraud and corruption by gun dealers, training institutions and the police so that appropriate action can be taken.

The organisation is also of the view that since 2010, it has been public knowledge that the Central Firearms Registry (CFR) - the police unit tasked with regulating firearms - is not functioning as it should.

Gender-based violence independent researcher, Lisa Vetten, says religious and traditional leaders have a major role to play in preventing homophobic crimes.

Reacting to the killing of 26-year old Duduzile Zozo in Thokoza, Vetten says although South Africa is a leader in recognising the rights of gays and lesbians, in practice those rights only exist on paper.

The ramming of a toilet brush into the vagina of Duduzile Zozo, the lesbian who was murdered in Ekhurhuleni, caused her death, according to the post-mortem results.
The victim of what is believed to be a hate crime against lesbians suffered severe organ damage during the ordeal.

Police spokesperson, Godfrey Maditsi, points out that, “There was no blood at the scene. She died from severe organ damage.”

Gauteng Premier, Nomvula Mokonyane, says the killing of lesbian Duduzile Zozo was brutal, senseless and unacceptable.

Mokonyane points out that, "We urge the community to approach police with any information that will lead to the arrest of people responsible for this barbaric act, so that they can face the full might of the law."

She further warns that there is no place for people who disregarded the country's national pride of unity in diversity, and infringed other people's right to human dignity and freedom of association.