Angry calls for Bheki Cele to act on GBV: 'Women are dying every day'
Police minister Bheki Cele must not be silent about gender-based violence (GBV) and must deal decisively with men who violate and murder women.
This is the view shared by scores of South Africans on social media, with calls for the minister to take a stand against the scourge of women abuse.
South Africans are reeling with anger and shock over the murders of Tshegofatso Pule and Naledi Phangindawo. Police have not made any arrests in Pule's case, while a suspect handed himself over to the police shortly after Phangindawo's death last weekend.
Cele has been vocal in his criticism about the sale of alcohol during lockdown level 3, and many have said he needs to show the same passion about taking a stand against GBV.
On Tuesday, Cele said murder cases, attempted murders and violence against women have increased since the June 1 lifting of the ban on the sale of alcohol, TimesLIVE reported.
This is what Mzansi had to say:
Bheki Cele and his troops are more obsessed with people drinking alcohol, than GBV 😭. Make me numb Nelson 💔. We've always been on our own Women.
— 🏳️🌈. (@Sasha_E_Fierce) June 11, 2020
Imagine if bheki cele have the same energy to fight our killers like he fights alcohol sale.
— Sne🍷 (@Khaleesi_Sne) June 12, 2020
Bheki Cele is gonna need to do more than just confiscate alcohol and pose in front of Shebeens. Women are dying every single day
— Mpume 🐐 (@MprueDie) June 11, 2020
We need Bheki Cele to be hands on with GBV issues.
— Jan Van Potgieter 🇿🇦🇮🇹 (@SciTheComedist) June 11, 2020
Like he was with alcohol. All this might just drop.#TshegofatsoPuleFuneral
So grand grand Minister Bheki Cele is the Minister of Alcohol ban. Women died this month alone all of a sudden he's on mute.
— Zₑₑ (@Zethu_L) June 11, 2020
Bheki Cele fighting alcohol consumption vs Bheki Cele fighting femicide pic.twitter.com/xwOUbVKxqf
— Hëro (@bobosrage) June 11, 2020
Bheki Cele is more concerned about alcohol and cigarettes than rapist. pic.twitter.com/XBsU5kDhZX
— RISEMAN (@_iamRISEMAN) June 11, 2020
I wish Cele can invest the same energy in crime as he invests in enforcing lockdown regulation. The number is police and the army in the funeral yesterday was appalling; I wish they can do the same when crime is reported. We dying in the hands of men Do something and stop talking
— Babalwa (@yimani2019) June 12, 2020
Cyril made promises after that nationwide GBV march last year but he hasn't fulfilled any of them. Bheki Cele's voice & actions are louder when he's dealing with alcoholics but he drags his feet when GBV is brought up. Our government is failing the women of this country
— Lesilo Rula (@kay_mahapa) June 11, 2020
South Africa #NotAllMen | Naledi Chirwa says not all men face the law and account for abusing women 3 years ago |