The ANCYL in the Eastern Cape is deeply shocked and outraged by the heinous crime of rape perpetrated against six innocent young women in the Mqhekezweni area of the Eastern Cape. Our hearts go out to the survivors, their families, and loved ones. It is alleged that in the early hours of Tuesday, 29th October 2024, 8 Female learners were asleep when two (2) armed men forced entry into the house in which they rent as accommodation (Igxamesi) at Mqhekezweni. Five (5) of these Grade 12 learners were then assaulted, raped, and mugged at gunpoint.
We unequivocally condemn this despicable act, which violates the most fundamental human rights and dignity of these young individuals. Rape is a reprehensible crime that has devastating consequences for survivors and communities. The absence of a defined safety and security plan in the province has led directly to a rise in these horrible crimes that have taken over the province.
This tragedy, along with numerous other heinous atrocities committed by criminals, is, in our opinion, a glaring reminder that the Eastern Cape communities urgently need to support a tough-minded action plan that would end crime altogether. We are resolute on applying pressure on the police to launch an expeditious investigation and not rest until justice is served. These types of acts of criminality which include increased violence, murder, gender-based-violence, femicide, theft, vandalism, etc. have got absolutely no space in our democracy and must be rooted out with immediate effect.
We demand:
1. Swift and thorough investigation by law enforcement to bring perpetrators to justice.
2. Support and protection for the survivors, ensuring their safety and well-being.
3. Increased measures to prevent such crimes, including education and community awareness programs.
We stand in solidarity with the survivors, their families, and the community in advocating for:
1. Justice and accountability.
2. Comprehensive support services for survivors.
3. A society that values and respects the dignity and safety of all individuals, particularly children and women.
We urge anyone with information to come forward and assist the authorities in apprehending the perpetrators. We further call on the police to focus on these investigations to build cases that will ensure that the perpetrators are remanded in custody and never again see the light of day. We further call on all the people of the Eastern Cape to organise each other in their various communities and protect our learners, whom we identify as the future of our country.
Issued by the Eastern Cape ANC Youth League. For more info, contact:
Francisco Dyantyi
Provincial Secretary
0784492422
Siviwe Ngaba
Provincial Spokesperson
0720614313
