This post was first published by SAFTU
The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) welcomes the recent breakthrough by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in arresting a suspect in connection with the abhorrent rape of two nurses at Chuene Clinic in Ga-Chuene village near Polokwane. We commend the police for their swift action, demonstrating the possibility of justice being served when resources and dedication are applied. This arrest provides a glimmer of hope for accountability in a country plagued by gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
However, while this development is welcome, it does not erase the broader, grim reality of the epidemic of GBVF in South Africa. The attack on these nurses, who serve selflessly on the frontlines of healthcare, underscores a deeper crisis in our society—one that normalises and perpetuates violence against women.
South Africa remains one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a woman. Every day, women, children, and members of marginalised communities live in fear as gender-based violence continues to ravage families and communities. Statistics on GBVF paint a horrifying picture, with rape, domestic violence, and femicide rates remaining alarmingly high despite numerous policies and interventions.
SAFTU reiterates its condemnation of this heinous crime, which we have previously described as not only an attack on these brave nurses but also a reflection of a broader societal failure to protect women. The culture of impunity for perpetrators of GBVF must end, and this requires urgent, comprehensive action at all levels of society.
We call on government institutions to prioritise the fight against GBVF by:
Implementing Effective Policies: Strengthening the National Strategic Plan on GBVF with measurable outcomes and proper funding.
Enhancing Policing and Judicial Responses: Ensuring that law enforcement agencies are equipped, trained, and resourced to handle GBVF cases with sensitivity and efficiency. Cases must be expedited, and convictions must serve as a deterrent.
Community Mobilization: Empowering communities to challenge patriarchal norms and intervene in preventing GBVF.
Workplace Protections: Ensuring that workplaces, particularly in sectors like healthcare where women are disproportionately represented, are safe and free from violence and harassment.
The arrest of the suspect in this case must mark a turning point. Justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done. This includes ensuring that the survivors of this horrific crime receive the care and support they need to rebuild their lives.
We also reiterate our solidarity with workers across all sectors, especially women, who face daily threats to their safety both in and outside the workplace. SAFTU stands firm in its commitment to fighting for a South Africa where everyone can live and work free from violence and fear.
As we welcome this breakthrough, we urge all South Africans to unite against the scourge of GBVF. Let this moment be a catalyst for meaningful change, so that no woman, nurse, or worker will have to endure what these brave healthcare workers have suffered. Together, we can and must eradicate the culture of rape and violence in our country.
#EndGBVF #JusticeForSurvivors #SafeWorkplacesNow
