Recent gender-based violence  

4 September 2019

THE Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry is concerned at the growing number of brutal murders of women and children and what appears to be a complete disrespect for the law.

The police believe that more than 20 women were killed in August, many of them in Cape Town. The new month has brought more deaths and the only thing the victims appear to have in common is that they were vulnerable women.

Mr Geoff Jacobs, President of the Chamber, offered his condolences to all those affected by these tragic events.

“Women and children are the most vulnerable members of our society and are deserving of protection, so it is difficult to understand why they are now being singled out for the most violent treatment.”

He said it would be easy to blame the killings on a few sick men “but we must dig deeper for we may be looking at the symptoms of a larger problem such as the growing lawlessness in society and a breakdown in the values on which our society is built.”

He complimented the police on their quick work in following up the recent Cape Town cases and making arrests but said that there were too many cases where they had been less successful.

“The women of Cape Town have demonstrated their concern and called for action in public protests today. We would like to assure them of our support. We stand with them in the fight against gender-based violence,” Mr Jacobs said.

Issued by Dean Le Grange, Media and Digital Co-ordinator, Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 4 September 2019