Submitted by freenet on Sat, 18/12/2010 - 16:17
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Pretoria - South Africa's Cabinet has condemned in the strongest terms the killing of UK tourist, Anni Dewani.
Currently, the country is observing the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign. Cabinet has described the killing as "cold-blooded" and thanked the police for the work they have done in the case.
"Cabinet commends the police for acting swiftly … and ensuring that the suspects were apprehended and brought to court promptly. The importance of prosecuting of the suspects in the Dewani case cannot be over-emphasised, as the case had drawn global attention and damaged South Africa's reputation," said Minister in the Presidency, Collins Chabane.
He was briefing the media after Cabinet's ordinary meeting.
Shrien Dewani, Anni's husband, has since been implicated in the murder of his wife. Dewani was implicated when Zola Tongo, the man who chauffeured the couple around during their honeymoon in Cape Town, claimed that Dewani gave him R15 000 as payment to kill her and make it look like a hijacking. The money was apparently to be shared by Tongo and the two other accused in the case.
Dewani will now appear before the British High Court, on Thursday, where a more senior judge will review whether he should be granted bail.
Referring to the recent uncovering of an alleged child pornography ring, involving toddlers, at a house outside Pretoria, Chabane said government would leave no stone unturned in the fight against women and child abuse.
South Africans at large were called on to play their part in helping to end the scourge of violence and abuse.
"The … perpetrators of the abuse must expect no mercy from the law enforcement authorities. All South Africans must stand up against abuse of any kind and report all incidents to the authorities to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice," said Chabane.
He thanked South Africans for their role in the 16 Days of Activism campaign, adding that it was a success.
The campaign comes to an end tomorrow, and Chabane said the Ministry of Women, Children and People with Disabilities would develop programmes to address all forms of abuse throughout the year.
Cabinet also spoke out against "Ukuthwala", where women and young girls are kidnapped for marriage in the name of cultural practice.
"(Cabinet) welcomes the initiative by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to launch an awareness campaign to discourage the practice .... In some instances, this practice is linked with the misguided belief that sexual intercourse with a virgin cures HIV and Aids. The abduction of women under any circumstances is unlawful, unjustified and punishable by the law," said Chabane. - BuaNews