Cape Town – TV host and actress Minnie Dlamini has challenged South African men to speak out against gender-based violence (GBV), following the discovery of nine women’s bodies in Ekurhuleni over the past two months.
Minnie made the call in an Instagram post on Friday, 18 September, urging men to take a stand rather than remain silent as investigations into the deaths continue.
“At some point, as a man, you have to STAND FOR SOMETHING. Your silence is loud. And what you choose to condone is even louder,” she wrote.
“South African men, we need you to take a STAND, have a voice. We cannot keep crying, fighting and burying our women alone. AYAPHELA ABAFAZI.”
Her comments came a day after police confirmed that a ninth woman’s body had been discovered in Dawn Park, Boksburg, on Thursday morning.
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The woman, believed to be around 30, was found partially clothed, with investigators still working to establish her identity and the circumstances surrounding her death. Police said preliminary information suggested that she may have been dumped at the location.
The nine deaths have heightened concerns over violence against women in the Ekurhuleni area. Police have been investigating whether there are links between the cases, but have cautioned against drawing conclusions before the investigations are completed.
A multidisciplinary team has been deployed to investigate the deaths, while the government’s Inter-Ministerial Committee on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide has since elevated the specialised investigation team and increased police visibility in the affected areas.
Minnie’s message adds to growing calls from public figures for men to play a more active role in confronting violence against women.
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Picture: Instagram/ Minnie Dlamini
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
