Cape Town – As government, businesses and other organisations prepare to observe Women’s Month, the body of an unidentified woman has been found stuffed into a dustbin in Nyanga.
The body was found inside the bin this morning at a house in Sagwiti Street, in Old Crossroads.
Police spokesperson Captain Frederick van Wyk said the family living in the house had heard the bin being pushed onto their premises.
“They looked outside and saw a man pushing the bin,” he said.
“When they asked him what he was doing on their premises, he left the dirt bin and ran off. When the dirt bin was opened, the body was found.”
Police have opened a murder case. No arrests have been made.
Scores of people went to see the body before the arrival of the police, with some saying the woman had been killed overnight.
Siya Monakali, from the organisation Ilitha Labantu, which advocates for women’s rights, said they are deeply concerned about the high rate of violence against women and children in homes, communities and society.
“Violence against women occurs at an incomprehensible scale; not a week goes by where we do not hear of or witness the rape and murder of women and girls. This paints a grim picture of a society that preys on its women, and irrespective of South Africa's efforts, nothing has been done to effectively address the scourge.”
Monakali said a key area of concern had to do with the court and police's ability to work together to effectively convict GBV offenders.
“This grey area has led to the nation having a poor conviction rate [when it comes to] GBV-related cases, and this has resulted in a significant loss of confidence in our judiciary and police.
“2022 marks the 66th anniversary of the women's march of 1956, and 28 years of democracy. These momentous milestones should lay the foundation [so] we as a country can critically reflect on where we come from, and help forge a future in which the rights and dignity of women are protected. Sadly, we cannot claim this political dispensation until women are free from all forms of violence and discrimination.”
Anyone with any information about this morning’s incident is asked to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Weekend Argus