EMALAHLENI- Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC, Jackie Macie, visited the families of two women who tragically lost their lives in a Gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) incident in Vosman today.
The MEC’s visit comes after the devastating news of the two victims who were allegedly torched by a male suspect on July 23. According to the police, the two victims, a 21-year-old mother of his children and a 23-year-old relative, were rushed to Witbank Hospital with serious burn wounds after the incident.
Unfortunately, the victims succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment in hospital, with the 23-year-old passing away on August 1 and the 21-year-old on August 3.
READ | GBV victim vents out two years later
MEC Macie strongly condemned the incident, emphasising that perpetrators of GBVF have no place in communities and must be permanently removed. “This shows that the war against GBVF requires the whole society to be involved,” he said.
“We need individuals who will commit themselves and work in their communities to ensure that there is no one behind closed doors that suffers silently.” He added that despite efforts to eradicate GBVF, women and children continue to suffer at the hands of abusers.
MEC Macie urged women in abusive relationships to seek help and leave such relationships before it’s too late.
“We have seen how women suffer at the hands of their partners and some ending up losing their lives,” he said. “We urge women out there to leave abusive relationships and marriages before they end up paying with their lives.”
READ | “Stiff sentences must be handed down to GBV accused” – Mashatile
The MEC emphasised the importance of thorough investigations and evidence collection to ensure the conviction of the suspect. “Police must work around the clock to gather all necessary evidence,” he said.
The suspect is currently in police custody, facing two counts of murder, and is expected to appear in the Emalahleni Magistrate’s Court on August 7, 2025.
