By Teboho Moloi
QWAQWA — Members of the ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) in Ward 35, Makwane, under the Lillian Ngoyi branch, marched to the Makwane Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 2 December, demanding that suspects accused of abusing women, children and people living with disabilities be denied bail.
The march began at the Makwane filling station, with protesters carrying placards calling for an end to gender-based violence, no bail for offenders, and harsher sentences for those convicted of gender crimes.
The demonstration formed part of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, and coincided with the court appearance of a 54-year-old woman accused of assaulting her nephew, who lives with a disability.
The woman was arrested on 9 October 2025 after a video circulated on social media showing her beating the naked victim and pouring water over him. She had previously been denied bail and appeared briefly on Tuesday without her legal representative. The case was postponed to 8 December 2025.
Ward 35 councillor MaSetjhaba Lakaje-Mosia said the march aimed to send a strong message to the justice system that victims of abuse must be protected through strict sentencing and consistent denial of bail for perpetrators.
“Today we stand here ashamed that a mother who gave birth is appearing before this court for abusing a child — worse, a child living with a disability,” Lakaje-Mosia said.
She added that harsh sentences were necessary to deter further incidents of abuse.The ANCWL’s memorandum includes demands such as:Immediate issuing of protection orders to safeguard victims.
Prioritisation and urgent handling of all cases involving abuse Court manager Lehlohonolo Mokoena received the memorandum and committed to passing it on to the relevant authorities for consideration.
