Advocacy organisation Women for Change has strongly condemned the motorist who drove into a group of protesters during Friday’s national GBV and femicide shutdown in Observatory, Cape Town. The group is calling for the immediate arrest of the driver, who has been charged with reckless and negligent driving but has not yet been taken into custody.
Two people were injured in the incident, including 70-year-old Maureen Witten and protester Mfuneko Mali, who suffered a broken wrist. Mali said he remains traumatised after the vehicle sped into participants taking part in the Women4Change silent 15-minute lie-in.
The Observatory demonstration was held in honour of 40-year-old Davidene Witbooi, who was shot and killed on Women’s Day in Manenberg. Witten’s daughter confirmed that the elderly woman was treated at Rondebosch Medical Centre and escaped with minor injuries.
Activists have expressed outrage, saying the attack underscores the urgency of confronting gender-based violence in South Africa.
“This incident shows exactly why we speak out about gender-based violence and femicide,” said Merlize Jogiat of Women for Change. “There are people who choose to harm others for no reason. He chose the wrong day we were standing there in memory of women who lost their lives, and he attempted this.”
Police say the investigation is ongoing, and no arrest has been made.