​Qaqambile Mdledle
Whether it is in our homes; communities; sports; places of work, learning, or worship – gender-based violence (GBV) is unacceptable – anywhere it occurs and in any form it takes.
The perpetrators of these crimes don't belong to a free South Africa. This was the message by Gauteng MEC for Social Development Morakane Mosupyoe.
Addressing a crowd of people outside the Nigel Magistrate Court on Wednesday the MEC called on the courts to hand down life sentences to these criminals as a clear message that the whole value chain of the judicial system is tackling gender-based violence with the seriousness it deserves.
"The perpetrators of violence against women and children must receive sentences that are fit for the horrific crimes that they commit," said MEC Mosupyoe who welcomed the remanding in custody for the suspect in a murder case of Samantha Zungu. 
It is alleged that the suspect accused Samantha of cheating and falling pregnant. 
A fight ensued and when a neighbour went to investigate the commotion coming from the house, the suspect told him that there was nothing wrong and he was alone in the house.​
He allegedly covered Samantha's mouth with tape in a bid to prevent her from screaming and continued to assault her. The deceased was assaulted several times on her forehead with a stove poker.
MEC Mosupyoe said she was outraged by the spike in the number of gender-based violence and femicides, during a month in which women should be celebrated.
"We want to thank all the women (over 2000 of you) who signed the petition for the court proceedings to be made public through various media. However, the court has ruled that it is still early to publicise proceedings as investigations are still underway and witnesses should feel safe during this course of the trial," she said.
The MEC also conveyed her deepest condolences to the Zongu family and friends.  
She further urged society that "curbing GBVF also begins in the home. 
"What do we teach our children? The home is the first institution in society in which children are socialized. As parents, we hardly teach our children that mutual respect and important principles and values in life."
The province has put in place measures like the Green Doors, Thuthuzela Care Centres and Shelters for survivors of GBV in all five regions.
As part of the work to provide justice and support to survivors of GBV, 32 regional courts have been designated as sexual offences courts in various parts of the country.