Offenders will face the law, warns Zibe

HEALTH and HIV/AIDS Minister Sasa Zibe wants anyone who commits any form of violence against women to face the “full force of the law”.
He did not elaborate on the form of punishment but said he would meet with the police, the Community Development Department, the Justice and Attorney-General Department and others to discuss it.
He said such cases had been on the increase and must be stopped.
Mr Zibe said his ministry had been campaigning on the issue for a long time but many men still continue to resort to violence.
Such behaviour often had long-term psychological impacts on children who witnessed their mothers being bashed, he said.
“Many abused women experience severe beatings from their husbands who even use rubber hoses, wooden stumps and stones,” he said in a statement.
“But to be burnt alive is a different story. This now becomes human sacrifice and such practice cannot be tolerated in our society today.
“The act of violence against our mothers and sisters must now stop,” he added.
Mr Zibe said he would take the lead to make sure that all forms of violence against women would be eradicated from the community.
He appealed to men to take stock of themselves when confronted with family problems.
“Men should restrain themselves from becoming emotional as uncontrolled emotions often result in unnecessary loss of property and lives.
“For any development to take place, both men and women must work hand in hand to see its implementation. Both sexes must be considered equal in all their social, political, cultural and economical affairs,” he said.