Limpopo Premier promises to step up fight against GBV

Limpopo premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, says the government is determined to intensify the war against Gender-based Violence (GBV). The province has been grappling with the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide, with Vhembe and Sekhukhune districts recording an alarming number of cases in the last few years.

She was responding to MK Party’s assertion that the provincial government is not doing enough to fight GBV and femicide.

Ramathuba indicates that the government has put systems in place to ensure that Gender-based Violence and femicide are rooted out.

“Let us remind you, hounarable Lulamile Jack, we have raised concerns about the two nurses who were raped while on duty, and four students whom we visited some days ago to provide psycho social support because the ANC-led government is a caring government. So, I do not understand when you say we have not said anything about Gender-based Violence and femicide,” says Ramathuba.

Ramathuba also says the Expropriation Act will come handy in reviving the fallen Zebediela Citrus Estate. She was responding to the State of the Province Address (SOPA) debate by different political parties at the provincial legislature in Lebowakgomo.

During the debate on Monday, EFF said the provincial government was neglecting the citrus estate. The estate was the biggest citrus exporter in the southern hemisphere and has collapsed despite the government funding its revival.

Ramathuba says the farm has collapsed due to infighting amongst beneficiaries of land claim.

“Honourable members, we have noted opportunistic tendency at using the current challenges of Zebediela Citrus Farm as a justification for rejecting government commitment on land reform. We felt that it is critical to take a few minutes of your time and address this matter. Like in the rest of the country, this province faces a formidable challenge of Land Reform. By Land Reform I refer to the three pillars enshrined in Section 25 of our constitution, Land restitution, Land redistribution and Land Reform,” she says.