TWO FAMILIES MOURN AS MEC DANTJIE RENEWS CALL TO END GENDER -BASED VIOLENCE

By DSD News

• Families in Pella and Boitekong are mourning the tragic loss of two young women whose deaths have left their communities devastated.
• The Department of Social Development has deployed social workers to provide trauma counselling and psychosocial support to the affected families.
• MEC Basetsana Sussana Dantjie has called for stronger collective action to end gender-based violence and protect women and girls from harm.

Grief has engulfed families in Pella and Boitekong following the tragic deaths of two young women in separate incidents that have left their loved ones heartbroken and their communities searching for answers.

North West MEC for Social Development, Basetsana Sussana Dantjie, has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the two young women, describing their deaths as a painful reminder of the devastating impact of violence on families and communities.

The latest tragedy involves a 20-year-old woman from Pella, outside Rustenburg, who allegedly lost her life at the hands of her boyfriend.

For her family, the loss remains almost impossible to comprehend.

Described as a responsible, focused and respectful young woman with a bright future ahead of her, her sudden death has left relatives devastated and struggling to come to terms with what has happened.
Family members said they never suspected that she may have been experiencing abuse in her relationship.
“She never showed any bruises or signs of discomfort. We are struggling to accept what has happened. It feels like a nightmare from which we hope to wake up,” a family member said.

According to preliminary reports, the young woman sustained fatal injuries following an altercation. The matter is being investigated by the South African Police Service.

Reacting to the incident, MEC Dantjie described the killing as senseless and deeply disturbing.
“No family should have to endure the pain of losing a child in such a cruel and violent manner. It is heartbreaking to witness young lives being cut short when they should be pursuing their dreams and building their futures,” she said.

The tragedy occurred shortly after another young woman from Boitekong was found dead after being reported missing. Her death has left her family and community in mourning and raised renewed concerns about the safety of women and girls.

MEC Dantjie had just returned from visiting the Boitekong family to convey her condolences when she received news of the Pella tragedy.

She said the two incidents have cast a shadow over ongoing efforts to combat gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) and build safer communities.
“We are mourning alongside these families, but we are also reminded that the fight against gender-based violence and femicide is far from over. Every life lost is one too many, and every incident leaves behind unimaginable pain for those left behind,” she said.
The MEC stressed that addressing GBVF requires more than awareness campaigns and calls for active participation from families, communities, government, faith-based organisations and civil society.

She urged men experiencing emotional distress, anger or relationship challenges to seek professional assistance and resolve conflicts without resorting to violence.

“Violence can never be the answer. We all have a responsibility to create safe environments where women and children can live free from fear and harm,” she added.

In response to both tragedies, the Department of Social Development has dispatched officials to provide trauma counselling, debriefing sessions and psychosocial support to the affected families.

In Pella, social workers are supporting a family still struggling to come to terms with the loss of a daughter they lovingly described as their “angel”. In Boitekong, support continues for a family grappling with the devastating loss of a young woman whose life ended far too soon.

As investigations continue, the Department of Social Development has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting affected families while intensifying efforts to prevent gender-based violence, strengthen community awareness and protect the dignity, safety and wellbeing of women and children across the province.