This week South Africa started observing its annual 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence and femicide campaign, while also observing five days of mourning for those who lost their lives during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sadly, we also have to examine the unfortunate incidents which emerged during this period. These include cases of police brutality, an increase in gender-based violence, and the governing party appearing to pay lip service to the fight against the abuse of women and children, while protecting those within its ranks, who stand accused of these very crimes.
This was the warning from the Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance South Africa director, Maurice Smithers, as the group called on government not to just rely on big industry campaigns to promote safe drinking, but to use the National Disaster Act to prevent mass alcohol-induced gatherings, late-night clubbing and drunken driving.
The hard lockdown was implemented in March and by June, Minister of Police Bheki Cele had acknowledged in parliament that 49 police brutality cases were reported during that period.