Eastern Cape Premier, Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane, who was joined by the SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Liziwe Ntshinga and his EXCO, recently led a march against the scourge of rape, gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in Lusikisiki.

The Premier s visit to Lusikisiki is part of ongoing oversight and the monitoring of work done, as well as a report-back session by Government to the community, following a visit to the hotspot area by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2019.

Premier Mabuyane also took this opportunity to interact with members of the community to raise awareness against rape, gender-based violence and femicide.

The Premier emphasised that the common practice of ukuthwala (forced marriage of young girls) in the area is a criminal offence and equivalent to trafficking.

The Premier also spoke about the rights of both women and men who may be experiencing abuse in their households and urged the police to handle such matters with sensitivity and urgency - regardless of the gender reporting the matter.