​Qaqambile
Mdledle
Gauteng Community Safety MEC Faith Mazibuko has joined hands with faith-based organisations and the community of Orange Farm in prayer service to end Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Orange Farm contributes significantly to crimes perpetrated against women and children.
The latest crime statistics released by the South African Police Service (SAPS) last week show an increase in rapes, domestic violence, and, perhaps most worryingly, in child murders.
In just three months, between July and September 2021, 9556 people, most of whom were women, were raped in South Africa. This is 7% more than in the previous reporting period.
Of the nearly 73,000 assault cases reported during this period, more than 13,000 were domestic violence related.
MEC Mazibuko said the service wanted to send a strong message to the perpetrators that they were not part of the community.
"We have engaged in numerous means of fighting gender-based violence but we have decided to include religious organisations in our fight against this scourge. 
"We are of the view that anyone who is a danger to a society must be kept where they belong, in prison, so that we create safer communities for our women and children," said Mazibuko.
The prayer service is part of the build-up towards the launch of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children.
"The prayer is part of the build-up towards the launch of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign which is celebrated in South Africa under the theme, the year of Charlotte Maxeke, moving from awareness to 
accountability," she said.
She encouraged Bishops and Pastors to listen to church members who encountered domestic violence.
"Due to COVID-19, people were forced to stay home and spend more time with their families as a result the province particular Orange Farm has recorded high numbers of GBV," she said.
She further pleaded with community members to go back to their roots of being a peaceful and harmonious nation.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has also called on men to take a stand against GBV.
In his letter to the nation on Monday, the President said GBV is a problem of male violence. 
"Because it is men who are the main perpetrators, it should be men taking the lead in speaking out and reporting gender-based violence, in raising awareness, in peer education and in prevention efforts."