Little Brak River crime victims remembered during 16 Days campaign

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

The Little Brak River community in the Garden Route will dedicate the 16 Days of Activism campaign in memory of three teenagers who were killed in the area this year.

They released balloons and lit candles during a ceremony on Thursday at the Powertown Community Hall.

The three teenage victims, Elouise Witbooi (15), Bonique Jansen (15) and Lesley-Ann Maya (17) were all learners at the Great Brak River Secondary School.

The bodies of Bonique and Lesley Ann were found just days after they were reported missing and barely two kilometres from where they lived. They had been strangled.

Elouise's body, which was found near the school, was already at an advanced stage of decomposition and the cause of death could not be determined.

No one has been arrested in connection with the murders.

Meanwhile, the Western Cape Department of Social Development said it had committed over R600m for the support of women and children in the province.

MEC Albert Fritz said that The Children and Families Programme and the Victim Empowerment sub-programme (VEP) receive a combined budget of R630.7m, which is the second largest funding allocation.

He said the budget allows the department "to initiate truly innovative and exciting programmes and projects, such as the newly launched R3.2-million Khuseleka One Stop Centre in Mannenberg" which provides a 24-hour "place of refuge" for victims of crime.

"The protection of women and children is more than just a 16 day event, and DSD is proud to lead the charge, providing key services 365 days a year. The department has prioritized the development and protection of the province's 1.7-million children and 2.1-million women," Fritz said.