The prevalence of domestic violence, rape, abuse and attacks on women and children in Thohoyandou has prompted the commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lt-Gen Fannie Masemola, to warn perpetrators that they will be arrested.

During a recent visit to Hamabunda outside Thohoyandou as a guest at a women-in-uniform event, Masemola sent a strong warning to men in the Thohoyandou area to behave or face arrest. Just a week before the event, a family at the village was attacked in the middle of the night by two armed robbers who raped their 16-year-old daughter and injured her. The father was also attacked and had gashes on his head, while his wife also had her head cut by an object, believed to be a pick.

The incident received widespread condemnation from all quarters of the community.

Masemola said men were supposed to be fathers and protectors of their families and not abusers and killers of their loved ones. He commended traditional leaders who have joined efforts with the police and are encouraging their subjects to work hand in hand with them. He added that one thing that perpetuated abuse and attacks on women was that they kept quiet and did not tell the world of their ordeals.

Thovhele Nndweleni Mashamba said that they were alarmed by crime, especially those perpetrated against women and children, which have reached shameful proportions. “Let us all work together with the police to scale down this scourge,” he said.