04 Aug 2013

The Kasane community took to the streets on Friday morning to show concern about the recent acts of violence, especially against women.

Two Kasane women aged 16 and 27 lost their lives to passion killings less than two weeks apart. The 27-year-old was killed in broad daylight in a public place last Sunday. The following day, another woman was found hanging from a tree by the side of the main road.

It was against this background that the Department of Gender Affairs rallied behind a group of concerned residents to bring together community leaders, religious leaders, civic society, private companies and others to march to the district commissioner’s office to deliver a petition on their displeasure of the violent acts. The organiser of the march, Ms Ntebogang Mwanza said they were concerned at the brutal passion killings in the last two weeks.

 “We are aware that the President sent a team comprising the likes of Pastor Rupert Hambira and Kgosi Puso Gaborone some years back to investigate these moral and social ills, but we do not know what action was taken afterwards. Perhaps that might be our starting point,” said Ms Mwanza, reading the petition to the district commissioner, Dr Temba Mmusi.

“Something must be done about this countrywide, not just in Chobe because our future leaders are piling up in graveyards. How are we going to achieve the Vision 2016 pillar of a safe and secure nation when our girl-child is in danger?” she asked. Ms Mwanza commended men who took part in the march.

Receiving the petition, Dr Mmusi promised the gathering a speedy response and suggested that workshops should be carried out to sensitise people on the findings of the moral regeneration committee.  He advised men to seek professional counselling when they feel overwhelmed.

 Dr Mmusi attributed passion killings to cohabitation, saying those who were engaged in the practice must stop immediately. “These violent acts must not be called passion killings as they are fuelled by hatred,” he highlighted.

 He said he was also worried by the attacks on women in the district. Kgosi Kebogopole Morake of Plateau advised lovers not to be controlled by their feelings.  He said he expected progressive deliberations once the district commissioner’s office gathered all community stakeholders together.  ENDS