CAPE TOWN, Apr 14 (NNN-BUANEWS) – President Cyril Ramaphosa, warned against those who seek to exploit the nationwide lock-down “for their own sinister ends.”
“It is despicable that criminals use this period as a cover to break the law, at a time when our law-enforcement authorities are occupied with supporting the national effort to contain the pandemic,” Ramaphosa said.
He was speaking, following reports of criminal incidents ranging from destruction of public properties to gender-based violence.
“It is a great indictment of our society that dozens of schools have been burgled, trashed or burnt to the ground,” the president said.
When the lock-down is lifted and learning resumes, thousands of children will have no school to return to, depriving them of the right to education.
The country is under lock-down since midnight Mar 26. Last week, Ramaphosa extended the lock-down by two weeks, to the end of Apr.
Electricity utility, Eskom, also reported an increase in cable theft and vandalism of its infrastructure, since the lock-down began, resulting in power supply interruptions and damage that will cost a considerable amount to repair.
“That public property is being vandalised, while the entire country is experiencing hardship because of the lock-down, is a demonstration of utter disrespect and disregard for the majority of South Africans.”
Criminals are also preying on the weak and vulnerable, the president said.
“It is disturbing that during a time of such immense difficulty for our country, women and girls are being terrorised inside their own homes, forcing them to make desperate calls for help,” Ramaphosa said.
The number of calls to the GBV (gender-based violence) National Command Centre increased, since the lock-down began. He said, South Africa heeded the call by UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, for governments to prioritise gender-based violence during the COVID-19.
“We continue to implement the Emergency Response Plan, to end gender-based violence that was announced last year,” Ramaphosa said.
“I have a message for those callous criminals who think they can take advantage,” said Ramaphosa. The criminal justice system is not on leave, as law enforcement authorities will deal with those who transgress the law, he warned.– NNN-BUANEWS
