NYAKALLO TEFU
THE South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) in the Western Cape has reiterated its call for no-bail for perpetrators of rape and femicide following the killings of two learners in the province.
This follows the rape and murder of 17-year old Amahle Quku, a Grade 11 learner at Sinethemba High School in Phillipi, last weekend.
Her body was found dumped, naked and bruised in the early hours of Saturday June 20.
Seven-year-old Raynecia Kotjie of Belhar, a Grade 1 learner at Belhar Primary School, was also murdered at the weekend in the Western Cape.
“It is indeed sad that as we are engaged in a war against COVID -19 to save lives, men in South Africa have declared war on women and children of South Africa, causing immeasurable pain to families, friends and the school community at large. It cannot be correct that fear and anxiety should be part and parcel of the everyday lives of girls and women in South Africa”, said the union in a statement.
This week, learners from Quku’s school took to the streets to protest against the brutal murder of their fellow learner, calling for justice to be served.
“As the Union we vow to pursue a relentless battle to eradicate this scourge of GBV in our schools and communities and we call upon the Department of Justice to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to book and justice is served for Amahle, Raynecia and all other victims of these horrendous crimes”, said the union.
(Compiled by Inside Education staff)
