Police must take urgent action to stop ukuthwala 

04 August 2014

The DA will write to the Minister of Police, Nkosinathi Nhleko, to request that he urgently deploys Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units toukuthwala hot-spots across the country (see report).

The practice of ukuthwala is illegal. According to tradition it is the abduction of young woman with the intention of forcing them into marriage negotiations. The Times newspaper reported this morning on a number of women who are living in fear of being abducted against their will. It is clear that the practice is concentrated in certain rural areas and the police must be deployed to these areas to stop this abuse from continuing. 

The amended Sexual Offences and Related Matters Act and the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act states that anyone should report sexual offences against children to the police. 

We also call on Traditional Leaders to take the lead in their respective communities and to assist the police and community members in prosecuting this criminal activity.

Urgent action is needed to protect our young women from this practice. 

We cannot allow young women to live in constant fear. The Police Minister must make sure that the police are able to enforce the law in every corner of the country.

Allowing this practice to continue makes a mockery of Women's Month. We must stop it immediately. 

Statement issued by Denise Robinson, DAWN Leader, August 4 2014

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