Women who have survived sex trafficking, rape, abuse and violence recounted the horrors they suffered on Thursday at the gender summit attended by President Cyril Ramaphosa, whom they asked to tighten laws against perpetrators.
Phindi Ncube
She spoke from the podium on how she was raped by eight men. Ncube unexpectedly raised her dress in front of everybody to show the scars of her ordeal.
Ncube had to undergo five surgeries on her stomach.
She said her attackers were released from prison after serving only four years.
Facing the president she said: "I was not born like this, this came as a result of my attackers, I have to carry the scars while they walk free."
More than 1,000 delegates have gathered in Irene, Pretoria, to tackle the scourge of violence meted against South Africa’s women and girls.
The two-day summit is convened by the president following a series of marches against gender-based violence by formations such as 100 Men March and #TotalShutdown.
Sarah
Another survivor identified only as Sarah is now confined to a wheelchair after her boyfriend stabbed her while she was sleeping.
Sarah told Ramaphosa how he also stabbed her child 14 times, before leaving them to die.
Her attacker was sentenced to 20 years and will be released on parole in January.
Martha Marumo
Delegates also demanded the release of Martha Marumo.
She has been serving a life sentence since 2005 for killing her abusive husband.
- African News Agency (ANA)
