18 Feb 2019

Philanthropist and human rights activist, Ms Gogontlejang Phaladi, has called for concerted efforts in fighting incidents of rape, alcohol and drug abuse.

The founder and director of Gogontlejang Phaladi Pillar of Hope said there was more to do in fight against social ills affecting the girl-child, women and youth. 

“Let us all go an extra mile, fight the social ills and make the girl-child and women feel safe,” she said at the Fellowship International church youth rally in Mahalapye on February 15.

Ms Phaladi suggested that drug dealers must also be exposed and punished accordingly.

On issues of rape, Ms Phaladi said it was unfortunate that certain individuals seemed to be protecting perpetrators while the victims were not given enough support.

“The gentleman agreement kind of system where parents will pressurise victims to drop legal action against perpetrators must be strongly condemned. We are forced on saving a person’s dignity rather than allow justice to prevail and help victims of rape in finding closure,” she said.

Ms Phaladi further urged parents to open up and thoroughly engage their children and to understand them so as to be able to detect when they were in trouble.

She said the church was instrumental in nation building by providing health and education facilities.

She added that churches must be instrumental in guiding the society, advising that their voices must be audible in discrediting passion killings, molestation of young ones and habit-forming substance.

She applauded the Fellowship International church for organising the youth rally noting that the church should work hand in hand with the community and reach out to traditional leaders for the betterment of the community.

Ms Phaladi said the church must not be judgemental on victims of abuse and drug abuse but rather act as a safe haven for them.

She also appealed to law enforcement agencies to speed on disposing cases involving abuse victims. 

“Cases of abuse like rape are not easy to report. I, therefore, appeal to law enforcers to treat such cases with the respect and secret that they deserve,” she said. 

She said police stations must have a special unit dealing with gender issues that would also provide immediate counselling for rape victims.

For his part, Sub-Inspector Tebogo Monare from Mahalapye police station said law enforcers were equally concerned by cases of rape and abuse of children. 

Mr Moremi said some perpetrators of rape and other cases of abuse were roaming the streets as those with evidence were not cooperating with law enforcers.

He added that it was unfortunate since most of the victims were young girls and as such their future was destroyed due to emotional pain.

He said it was unfortunate that some defilement cases were reported and later dropped as some perpetrators offered bribes to parents of the victims. Ends