The Urgent Need to Protect Women and Girls in Mokopane
Rebecca Selomo / Mogalakwena Concerned and Affected Communities
In Mokopane, women and girls live under constant threat facing killings, rape, and general violence almost every day. The alarming rates of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) reveal a deep-rooted crisis where perpetrators act with impunity, and systemic interventions remain insufficient.
In 2013, a serial rapist who terrorized Ga-Pila for over 10 years was finally arrested. In 2024, two young girls were raped, one killed, and their bodies abandoned in GaMokaba Village the suspect is now facing trial. That same year, an elderly woman was brutally murdered by a Zimbabwean man, who is currently facing charges in the Mahwelereng Magistrate Court. Recently, in Malepetleke Village, a four-year-old girl was raped by her mother’s brother the case is ongoing.
Despite public outrage and legal proceedings, GBVF cases continue to rise in Mokopane. Mahwelereng Police Station holds the highest number of reported cases in Limpopo Province, confirming the severity of the crisis.
In September 2024, various organizations, including Mogalakwena Concerned and Affected Communities, marched to the Mahwelereng Magistrate Court to demand justice for unresolved GBVF cases. This mobilization led to ongoing discussions between community leaders and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) aimed at curbing the violence. However, despite these efforts, GBVF remains deeply entrenched in households, streets, and public spaces in Mokopane.
Political leaders must move beyond empty rhetoric. Standing at podiums and delivering speeches will not change the lived reality of women and girls. Action must happen at the ward level with direct interventions within communities to ensure prevention, protection, and accountability.
A Call for Collective Action
We need united efforts from all stakeholders: police, community organizations, law enforcement, local government, and civil society to fight GBVF at all costs. Women and girls deserve safety in their homes, schools, streets, and workplaces. Every street, block, ward, and village must mobilize toward zero tolerance for violence against women.
