RE: ANCWL : SERIAL KILLER ALERT TO WOMEN

The ANCWL is deeply concerned at news that a serial killer could be on the loose in Limpopo. We urge all women and girls to be extra cautious until police manage to track down whatever monster is responsible for the brutal rapes and murders taking place in the Groblersdal area.

So far police are investigating the murders and rapes of four women who were allegedly lured to their death by the prospects of jobs. This appears to be a tactic used by sick individuals who prey on the desperate circumstances of the poorest of the poor to fulfil their sinister objectives, such as in the case of the sugarcane serial killer in KwaZulu-Natal.

It is with this in mind that we urge women to be extra careful and take precautions when seeking out employment, and not to trust strangers who promise the world. It is a sad time when women cannot freely trust those members of society who appear to have good intentions and rather have to be over cautious and suspicious when seeking out employment. It is even sadder that these perverse and deranged individuals operate in our midst and prey on the desperation and vulnerability of those seeking to better their lives.

 The opportunism of these criminals speaks to the ills and economic challenges still faced by women who are the face of poverty, inequality and unemployment in the country. Until these issues are adequately addressed and true gender equality is achieved our women will continue to be easy targets for this type of cruel criminal.

The ANCWL sends out a plea to anyone who has information on the whereabouts of 28-year-old, Dinah Lekola, who is still missing, to urgently contact police. Police believe she could be the latest victim of the serial killer as she disappeared when going to see a man about prospective employment in the Groblersdal area, and has not been seen since. Any information could assist in the capture of the killer.

The ANCWL is confident police are working tirelessly to apprehend this killer before any more lives are lost.

Statement issued by Troy Martens, ANC Women's League National Spokesperson, September 10 2012

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