September 20, 18:00IOL

Cape Town activists criticize municipal permit procedure for solidarity action against gender-based violence

As women across South Africa mourned in black on Friday in solidarity with victims of gender-based violence, a Cape Town activist questioned the necessity of going through the municipal application process for women planning to gather at Princess Walk to mourn nine women killed in eKhuruleni.

Gender-based violence activist Lucinda Evans intends to gather women at Princess Walk for a peaceful walk, prayer, and expression of support. The event takes place on Heritage Day and follows growing public outrage after the discovery of the bodies of nine women in different parts of eKhuruleni in recent weeks.

Evans reported that she was contacted by municipal officials after Kevin Southey, a ward councilor, learned about the planned demonstration. Correspondence between Southey and Evans, seen by Cape Argus, shows that the councilor stated he saw the notification of the event in a public group and contacted municipal officials so Evans could obtain information on the requirements.

Southey wrote: 'You did not contact me or any municipal official about this matter. I saw your notification in a public group and thought I would inform (an official) and ask him to contact you to let you know what the requirements are for holding the event.' He clarified that his goal was to prevent a situation where organizers arrive at Princess Walk and find out they need a permit for the event. Subsequently, his office provided Evans with the necessary event application forms.

Reasons why Evans questions the municipal process

However, Evans questioned why she needed to interact with the municipality at all, given that Princess Walk is a publicly accessible space. Evans stated: 'Why should I do this when Princess Walk is a public open space? Why should I contact a ward councilor and the municipality to bring together 200 women who are currently mourning?'

She also expressed disagreement with another part of the councilor's correspondence, in which he claimed to support the application provided applicable bylaws and rules were followed. Evans countered: 'What other bylaws and rules exist for gender-based violence? What compliance and regulations exist when the country, the women of this country, have been devastated, and there is a massacre?'

Councilor claims assembly requires event permit

Speaking to Cape Argus, Southey emphasized that he is not against the gathering, noting that he has known Evans for many years. He stated: 'This event is taking place at Princess Walk. If you have an event, you need to apply for an event permit.' Southey added that Evans had not approached him before announcing the gathering, and he only learned about it after seeing the infographic posted in the public group. He concluded: 'I thought I was doing good by asking the municipal official to help her. I support this initiative.' He continued: 'I am not against the event at all. I understand that it is a march, and she will hold it in a public place. It is a public park.' He explained that the requirement concerned ensuring the activity in the park complied with necessary procedures.

Mayor states peaceful protests will be supported

Cape Town Mayor Jordyn Hill-Lewis also stated that people have the right to peaceful protest, and the planned gathering will be supported. Hill-Lewis said: 'Anyone has the right to peaceful protest, and we will absolutely welcome it.' He added that they simply need to notify the municipality about the planned protest, and the assembly permit will be issued.

Hill-Lewis advised organizers to contact the municipal events department if they had not already done so, noting that this process happens regularly and is 'very easy.' Women are expected to walk through Princess Walk from 9 am to 11 am carrying placards, and then conclude the gathering with prayer.

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iol.co.zaSeptember 17, 11:30

Gender-based violence activists call for a day of mourning on Friday following murders in Kempton Park

Activists dealing with gender-based violence (GBV) are strongly urging South Africans to wear black on Friday as a sign of mourning. This call followed the murders of women in the Kempton Park area, while police investigate these deaths, and activists demand the implementation of more effective violence prevention measures.

These appeals are also directed at the government, demanding the development of a 'proper plan' focused on preventing violence against women, as Rapid Response Teams are struggling to handle the growing number of such cases.

The situation has intensified amid mourning for nine women from Kempton Park who have died in the last three months, raising concerns about a possible serial killer targeting women.

GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

Dr. Daniel Chettiar, founder of DSK Group, a non-profit organization addressing GBV and a member of the Rapid Response Team in northern Durban, reported that his organization saw the call for a 'Black Friday' campaign on social media. Due to the high number of cases in the KZN province, they decided to promote this campaign in the region and insist on the need for local action to address the GBV problem.

Chettiar noted that between January 2 and September 1, his organization registered 196 cases of domestic violence, 26 cases of partner violence, 82 cases of sexual assault, and 13 cases of stalking. He added that three women have died in northern Durban in the last three months. According to him, declaring GBV a national catastrophe without a budget and a small number of state-paid social workers is meaningless.

He emphasized that the murders in Kempton Park have caused pain to many families who have lost loved ones to GBV, as well as surviving victims. Eight deaths have caused fear among women, and Rapid Response Team members are forced to work ten times harder due to the volume of work. Despite the lack of government support, they are fundraising themselves and trying to help every victim.

Judge Navi Pillay, co-founder of Advice Desk for Abused Women, stated that too much emphasis is placed on responding to GBV cases, and not enough attention is given to prevention. She stated that a clear action plan and policy are needed, not just a reaction to every horrific incident.

Pillay insisted that ending GBV requires a proper prevention-oriented plan, not just arrests, convictions, and bail denials for the accused. She stressed the need for increased work and the involvement of everyone in discussing prevention to change the GBV situation.

Dr. Brandon Pillay, chairman of the Chatsworth RTT, reported that they have long raised the alarm, but no significant changes have occurred in the fight against GBV. He stated that the Kempton Park murders have once again exposed old wounds and demonstrated the inadequate protection of women in the country. He called this moment the saddest for the country and announced that they launched a campaign calling on residents to wear black on Friday in support of all who have died due to GBV, noting that the country is in mourning.