POLITICS

Practice of paying “protection fee” to prevent rape condemned – EFF ECape

Zilindile Vena |

05 November 2024

The party says this is not just a desperate act of defenseless women; A devastating symbol of how fear and violence have become normalized

EFF statement on horrific practice in Eastern Cape where women pay “protection fee” to avoid rape

November 1, 2024

Eastern Cape Economic Freedom Fighters are outraged and deeply appalled by the fact that women in the Eastern Cape feel they have to leave money on their windowsills as “protection fees” to avoid the horrific threat of rape.

This situation clearly demonstrates the complete collapse of the moral fabric of our society and underlines the culture of gender-based violence prevalent in South Africa. This so-called “protection fee” is not just a desperate act of defenseless women; It is a devastating symbol of how fear and violence have become normalized in our societies, forcing women to pay the price for their right to exist without harm.

Our province has failed women at every level, who must pay the price for what appears to be safety. This practice is an indictment of a system that ignores the screams of survivors, leaves perpetrators with impunity, and neglects to take gender-based violence seriously. We live in a country where predators are emboldened and act with impunity, knowing that the consequences they face are minimal. This injustice against women reflects the structural failure of governance and law enforcement at the highest levels to protect the most vulnerable among us.

The recent rape of six Year 12 students in Mqhekezweni Village is a horrific reminder of South Africa’s ongoing gender-based violence crisis. These young girls, students of Jongintaba Secondary School, suffered unimaginable trauma in a safe and supportive environment.

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The EFF refuses to accept this status quo. We demand urgent and strong action on all fronts against this epidemic of gender-based violence and femicide that continues to spread in our societies.

Our government must demonstrate an unwavering commitment to justice for survivors and take a radical stance against those who seek to harm women. This includes enforcing tougher laws and stepping up prosecutions to hold perpetrators accountable and break the cycle of violence. Our police and judicial systems must be reformed to ensure that every case of gender-based violence is taken seriously, thoroughly investigated and decisively prosecuted.

Through our parliamentary group, EFF has been active in raising concerns about gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa and pressing for stronger legislation and action, and we have done this by fully supporting the establishment of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide we showed. Femicide became law in 2024, aiming to coordinate and strengthen the national response to gender-based violence through a collaborative approach with government and civil society stakeholders.

The EFF also highlighted issues such as statutory rape and the failure of some professionals, such as teachers and nurses, to report these crimes as contributing to the ongoing crisis affecting young girls. EFF’s consistent efforts include calls for better oversight and stronger accountability for these crimes.

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There can be no compromise on the protection of women’s rights and dignity.

We also call on state officials to invest in resources that support survivors, provide safe spaces for women, and create community programs that educate and empower individuals to confront violence.

Education is key to the fight against toxic masculinity and entrenched attitudes that fuel gender-based violence, and we must make this a national priority. It is unacceptable in a democratic country that women have to “buy” safety from predators. This goes against the very foundations of human rights and dignity that we defend.

Economic Freedom Fighters remain unwavering in our resolve to fight for societies where no woman has to pay for her safety, where violence against women is met with zero tolerance, and where everyone is free to live without fear. The era of empty promises is over. Our society must take decisive action to end gender-based violence. We call on our members, leaders and all South Africans to unite against this scourge, demand accountability and work tirelessly until no woman feels the need to put money on a window sill to protect herself from attack.

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That’s enough. We will not rest until we build a country where women are safe, empowered, and treated with the respect and protection they deserve.

Gender-based violence is not just a women’s problem; It is a crisis that requires the attention, action and commitment of all South Africans. Our fight against this pandemic will be relentless, and we will not stop until justice, safety and dignity are achieved for every woman in our country.

Published by EFF Eastern Cape Provincial Chair Zilindile Vena, 5 November 2024