A pistol and bullets The ANCWL in KZN is appealing for swift justice after an elderly woman was brutally murdered.
Image: File image
The African National Congress Women's League (ANCWL) in KwaZulu-Natal is calling for justice after a 64-year-old woman was gunned down in the Nkande village, in the Inkosi Bhambatha region on Tuesday morning.
The league is appealing to police minister, Senzo Mchunu and provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, to address the issue of gender-based violence in KZN.
Egnar Tswane Sondezi was allegedly hunted down by suspects, who, when they located her in her son's home, shot her 28 times.
ANCWL spokesperson, Phindile Sishi, said Sondezi told her family that she feared for her safety. She did not want to stay in her own home and on Monday, decided to sleep at her son's house.
"In a horrific turn of events, attackers stormed her residence, pointed firearms at family members and demanded to know Sondezi's whereabouts. Upon locating her, they opened fire, mercilessly shooting her 28 times, before fleeing the scene," Sishi said.
"We strongly condemn the brutal murder of a woman. This heinous act highlights the ongoing crisis of gender-based violence and we demand swift justice for the victim and her family," she added.
"The ANCWL is appealing to residents to assist police by providing information that could lead to an arrest," said ANCWL Provincial Task Team coordinator, Matho Shozi, added.
"While we acknowledge the progress made in combating crime, we demand that no woman killer should be allowed to roam freely in this province. The courts must ensure that those responsible for such heinous crimes face the harshest possible sentences," the league said.
According to the latest crime statistics, the country has a high rate of gbv, rape and domestic violence.
Commenting on the crime stats release, the Democratic Alliance's Riona Gokool, said urgent reform is needed in terms of policing, justice and sentencing.
"Stronger laws and policies are needed in order to protect our women and children while support for GBV survivors must be improved along with faster responses from law enforcement," Gokool said.
seanne.rall@iol.co.za
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