On Monday, 2 September 2019, the government tweeted out a statement telling womxn to “not allow themselves to become victims by keeping quiet,”

Iranti condemns these statements and call on all government departments to take active steps to prevent violence.

We demand that all men in the country stop meting out violence towards womxn, especially Black womxn, and allowing themselves to be complacent in this violence.

The tweet was in response to the violence against womxn that has received heightened coverage in the media over the past few days and after it was found that Uyinene Mrwetyana was murdered after having gone missing for over a week.

We note that Uyinene Mrwetyana’s disappearance only gained media attention after her friends made efforts to bring it to the public’s awareness.

We encourage that the media pays attention to all forms of violence against all womxn, especially Black womxn.

Iranti laments the loss of Uyinene Mrwetyana and all womxn killed in this country, especially black womxn. We are tired, afraid and angry.

We send strength and support to all womxn and gender non conforming persons in this volatile and hard time.

Here is a list of actions taking place around the country:

• A vigil on 3 September at the WITS Great Hall stairs from 6-7pm held.

• A public meeting at Rhodes University outside the Admin Building at 1pm on 4 September.

• On 4 September a picket will be held outside Parliament from 9am-1pm.

For media inquiries please contact:

Rumana Akoob, Communications Strategist

(rumana@iranti.org.za, 078 036 6832)