Minister calls for action against Khensani Maseko's boyfriend over alleged rape

Minister of Women in the Presidency, Bathabile Dlamini, has described the death of Khensani Maseko as another grim reminder that the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) is a festering sore in the soul of the nation.

Maseko, 23, a student from Rhodes University, committed suicide at her family home in Johannesburg after she was allegedly raped by her then boyfriend at the university in May.

Expressing her heartfelt condolences to Maseko’s family, friends and Rhodes students on Tuesday, Dlamini said extraordinary measures are needed to deal with this scourge.

“This incident, which comes at the time when the whole nation is observing Women’s Month, shows that the country needs to take extraordinary measures to deal a fatal blow to the scourge of women abuse.

“While we are all numb with shock at her death, however, her demise should not be in vain. It should spur all of us to tackle the struggle against women abuse with renewed vigour and determination,” Dlamini said in the department’s social media post.

The Minister also called on law enforcement authorities to ensure that the perpetrator of this heinous crime is dealt with harshly to send a strong message to society that those who continue to violate the sanctity of women’s bodies do not deserve to live in society.

On Tuesday, Rhodes University students marched to the Settlers Monument in Grahamstown following the tragic death of Maseko. – SAnews.gov.za