ANCWL STATEMENT ON THE ANNI DEWANI MURDER

The African National Congress Women's Leagues (ANCWL) has noted with utter dismay and consternation the revelations made in the Cape High Court yesterday that Mr Shrien Dewani plotted the brutal murder of his wife, Ms Anni Dewani.

These revelations made when our nation and many people's of the world commemorate the 16 Days of Activism Against Abuse of Women and Children is an indictment to the fight against violence and the abuse of women in our society.

It further reaffirms our assertion that violence against women knows no colour, race, social status and geographic boundaries. For as long as women suffer violence and abuse in the hands of their partners, the struggle for women emancipation and the promise for security and safety for many women across the globe remain an unfulfilled and a distant dream.

We congratulate the police and the National Prosecuting Authority for the expediency put in this brutal and senseless murder which has tarnished the image of our society to the global community.

We hope that the process of ensuring that Mr Dewani faces the full might of the law will be expedited and that all those who took part in this vicious crime are made to pay for cruel and selfish deeds.

Although we welcome the sentencing of Mr Zola Tongo to 18 years for his part in the crime and his confession, we believe that this sentence is lenient and undermines our nation's commitment to ensure that all  those who perpetuate violence against women are removed from our society.

Statement issued by Nosipho Ntwanambi, Deputy President of the African National Congress Women's League, December 8 2010

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