06/03/2019
OKUHLE YOUTH ORGANISATON STATEMENT ON ABUSE
Issued by: Andile Bhengu
Date: 06 March 2019
OYO is rising against any form of abuse that exist within our society. Be it gender-based violence, domestic abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse etc. We live in a society where abuse is normalised and it is alarming. Given the currently trending gender-based violence wave, which has arisen after a celebrity couple, Bongekile “babes wodumo” Simelane and Mandla “Mampintsha” Maphumulo went viral on social media from a live Instagram feed. In this video Mandla is seen abusing Bongekile physically. One can not afford to be oblivious to the outcry of other victims on social media who have expressed that they relate to this trending story of abuse.
As an organisation of young people who are against abuse, we urge and encourage all victims of abuse to break the silence and speak out. Some victims of abuse are in helpless situations, which is why we further encourage those who see any form of violence happening around them that they report it to the authorities. Perpetrators of such crime need to be punished.
We also reach out to support systems for victims that exist within our communities to come forward. Support groups and/or any other interest groups that deal with awareness campaigns on abuse must be at the forefront of fighting this battle. Victims of abuse cannot heal in isolation, perpetrators also cannot rehabilitate on their own. Let us unite against abuse as a community.
OYO chairperson, Nqobile Khumalo, further illustrates that amongst many issues that cripple south Africa, gender-based violence lies at the forefront of problems that need to be eradicated. Any acts of violence based on gender must be highly condemned, she adds. She then appealed to the community at large to take a stand against gender-based violence, our nation deserves better.
We understand that our society has lost confidence in our justice system due to history. We do however advise victims to report these cases in order to exit these situations in a more tranquil manner. Abuse is not normal and it should not be justified. We, as OYO, definitely condemn such behaviour as it is barbaric and inhumane. Not only does it damage the victim physically, it also leaves deep psychological scars and huge emotional distress. As a member of society, it is every individual’s responsibility to take a stand against abuse.
for more information contact
Andile Bhengu ( PRO)
Cell: 0818737926
Email: [email protected]
