Richmond double murder: KZN Social Development MEC to visit victims’ families
Social workers are providing psychosocial support as the department highlights the devastating impact of gender-based violence and femicide.
KZN Social Development MEC Mbali Shinga will on Thursday visit the families of two women whose bodies were found in shallow graves in Richmond.
The women, aged 34 and 44, went missing in the area last Monday.
Families receive support
Police arrested a 59-year-old man in Hopewell, south of Pietermaritzburg this week, after he led them to a forest where the women’s remains were found.
The department says its social workers are providing psychosocial support to the victims' families.
The MEC says the killings highlight the impact of gender-based violence and femicide on families and communities.
Meanwhile, the Community Policing Forum (CPF) in Richmond says it wants stronger cooperation between residents and police to protect women in the community.
CPF chairperson Bongani Mkhize says the deaths have left both families and the wider community devastated.
Renewed GBV fears in the area
He says the incident has also renewed concerns about violence against women in the area.
“It is deeply painful to hear about what happened, and from what we know and have seen, it is heartbreaking that these two women lost their lives in such a way.
“But as a community, there was also some relief when we received information that they had been found and that the police had arrested a suspect who allegedly led them to where the women were buried.
“It is deeply concerning to see things happening in this way because it makes us question the safety of women in our communities.”
He says more awareness campaigns involving government departments and private security companies are needed.
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