Cele calls on men to ‘stop brutalising, violating women and children

Police minister Bheki Cele on Saturday 28 November called on all men, but especially “those who carry out such gruesome acts” against women and children in South Africa to put an end to gender-based violence.

This followed after the arrest of a 34-year-old man in King William’s Town. The man is believed to have allegedly killed his wife and her five children with an axe in Elliotdale, Eastern Cape.

A GBV case that shocked country

The incident is believed to have taken place on Tuesday evening. The victims’ bodies were found the following day; at the start of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence (GBV) campaign, no less.

At the time, Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana confirmed that an axe was found at the scene of the crime, “believed to have been used as an instrument in the commission of the murders”. Kinana added:

“It is alleged that the suspect […] had escaped from Dabekweni Locality in Kwaaiman after the incident to find refuge in King Williams Town. Details on how he found his way to Ginsberg are still under investigation”. 

Eastern Cape police commissioner Lieutenant-General Liziwe Ntshinga also said it was “inconceivable for such a horrible and distressing incident” take place, especially at this time of the year.

Cele calls on men to stop GBV

Cele in a SAPS press release on Saturday, 28 November said the man was arrested within 24 hours of the killings. He was tracked down more than 225 km from the scene of the crime in Elliotdale. The minister said:

“He was also in hiding at the time of his arrest and allegedly preparing to flee the country”.

Cele lauded the arrest of a man. He explained that “police cast their net wide to find the husband of the deceased mother; who detectives thought could assist in their investigations”.

Cele added that it is while it is the “responsibility of the police to ensure that those who carry out such gruesome acts are arrested and dealt with by the laws of this country”, men need to step up as well.

“Such arrests only come after the fact and in many instances, it is after lives are destroyed and lost. So I am making a call to men, I urge you all to stop brutalising and violating women and children. It’s that simple”.

Furthermore, the suspect is expected to appear in court on Monday, 30 November 2020.