Latest news with #GBV
The Herald
17 hours ago
- Politics
- The Herald
SA media must report GBV with context, compassion: NWU graduate
South African media need to move away from event-based coverage of gender-based violence (GBV) and report stories with context, compassion and survivor-centred ethics. This is the message from North West University (NWU) master's graduate Elsje-Marié Language-Jordaan, who recently completed a study analysing how GBV was reported in the media during the 16 Days of Activism campaign, from October 14 2023 to January 21 2024. Speaking to TimesLIVE, Language-Jordaan said her research stemmed from a desire to raise awareness about GBV. 'I wanted to focus on crime reporting and specifically the ethics of crime reporting,' she said. 'I realised I had a particular crime in mind, gender-based violence, because it's something I'm passionate about.' Her dissertation combined social responsibility theory and postcolonial media theory to propose a new ethical framework for reporting GBV. 'At first I didn't intend creating a framework. But after a while I realised it was what the study needed and what I feel journalism needs regarding GBV reporting.' Language-Jordaan found GBV is often misrepresented as isolated incidents, with little effort to link these crimes to broader systemic issues. 'Gender-based violence is not something that stands on its own. Our background influences it, how we were raised and how our country was shaped.' She believes media outlets need to shift from incident-based to context-informed reporting. 'If we keep on pretending it's just a thing that happens, the audience may never fully understand the seriousness of GBV or what can be done about it.' Language-Jordaan's framework emphasises ethical accountability, contextual depth and survivor and community inclusion. She said while media ethics guidelines exist, they don't go far enough. 'There needs to be some sort of bigger ethical framework to guide journalists, especially young journalists, so they know what to do and they don't do weird stuff to re-traumatise people.'
TimesLIVE
a day ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
SA media must report GBV with context, compassion: NWU graduate
South African media need to move away from event-based coverage of gender-based violence (GBV) and report stories with context, compassion and survivor-centred ethics. This is the message from North West University (NWU) master's graduate Elsje-Marié Language-Jordaan, who recently completed a study analysing how GBV was reported in the media during the 16 Days of Activism campaign, from October 14 2023 to January 21 2024. Speaking to TimesLIVE, Language-Jordaan said her research stemmed from a desire to raise awareness about GBV. 'I wanted to focus on crime reporting and specifically the ethics of crime reporting,' she said. 'I realised I had a particular crime in mind, gender-based violence, because it's something I'm passionate about.' Her dissertation combined social responsibility theory and postcolonial media theory to propose a new ethical framework for reporting GBV. 'At first I didn't intend creating a framework. But after a while I realised it was what the study needed and what I feel journalism needs regarding GBV reporting.' Language-Jordaan found GBV is often misrepresented as isolated incidents, with little effort to link these crimes to broader systemic issues. 'Gender-based violence is not something that stands on its own. Our background influences it, how we were raised and how our country was shaped.' She believes media outlets need to shift from incident-based to context-informed reporting. 'If we keep on pretending it's just a thing that happens, the audience may never fully understand the seriousness of GBV or what can be done about it.' Language-Jordaan's framework emphasises ethical accountability, contextual depth and survivor and community inclusion. She said while media ethics guidelines exist, they don't go far enough. 'There needs to be some sort of bigger ethical framework to guide journalists, especially young journalists, so they know what to do and they don't do weird stuff to re-traumatise people.'
The Citizen
a day ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Nkandla mayor's 100 days in office
Commemorating 100 days in office, Nkandla Mayor Nonhlanhla Nzuza spoke about her top priorities at the helm. Service delivery and youth and women development programmes have been top of her list since taking office on 15 April. Speaking to the ZO, Nzuza noted the challenges of youth unemployment as a key burden in developing Nkandla. However, the most anticipated state-of-the-art shopping mall, which has been discussed in Council, will alleviate this plight through job creation. 'We held a Youth Summit and Sports Indaba for our youth development and talent search. Through the EPWP [Extended Public Works Programme], which has now been extended to 12 months, young people can put food on the table for their families,' she said. A recent gender-based violence attack shocked the Nkandla community, with several pupils at a top-performing school raped. To address the ongoing epidemic, Nzuza said they are working closely with the police, traditional leaders, taxi associations and the public to make Nkandla a crime-free zone. 'We have been visiting wards, working on GBV awareness campaigns, educating our young girls, and working with Ondlunkulu. We encourage women to report GBV incidents and not keep silent if they're abused,' she urged. Nzuza said the municipality is further supporting women empowerment in farming by providing seedlings and the necessary tools to grow their businesses. 'Working the land is where life is. Let all the land in this municipality be green with vegetation that will feed their families and be sold at markets,' she concluded. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Mistakes to avoid when applying for a protection order against alleged abusers
The respondent must be served with the order within 24 hours. If it has not been served, then it is not yet active. The court can grant an order for an abusive spouse to continue maintaining their partner despite a protection order against them. This was shared by senior National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) advocates Buyisiwe Nkala and Mzoxolo Rusi, along with senior domestic violence court clerk Qaqamba Tshangela, in their Eastern Cape domestic violence webinar on Wednesday. The officers shared steps to take when applying for a protection order against an abusive close relative and also mistakes for victims to avoid to ensure their order remains in place. According to the South African Police Service (Saps), a protection order aims at preventing the recurrence of domestic violence or sexual harassment by stating what conduct the alleged offender must refrain from doing. ALSO READ: Protection orders and police 'failing victims of GBV' As long as the alleged offender complies with the protection order, the complainant will be safe. If the alleged offender contravenes any stipulation of the protection order, they may be arrested. Once a protection order is granted, it is enforceable throughout the country. What to know about protection orders According to the Saps, to apply for one, the complainant must make an affidavit and complete an application form at their nearest police station. Supporting affidavits by persons who have knowledge of the matter in question may accompany the application. These documents must be handed to the clerk of the nearest court. The court will consider the application immediately. Once the interim has been granted, it goes to the police station, where they will look for the respondent. The respondent must be served with the order within 24 hours. If it has not been served, then it is not yet active, according to Tshangela. Tshangela said the interim protection order will protect you for the period you wait until your trial date. While still waiting for your trial date, if anything happens to you, you can go back to the police with the interim order, and the respondent will be arrested. However, Tshangela cautioned applicants against the mistake of not going back for their trial date once the interim protection order has been granted. ALSO READ: Justice department's poor record-keeping delays protection orders for GBV victims – AG 'Until the magistrate grants you a final order, that's when your protection order application is valid for a lifetime,' she said. 'If you only have the interim and not the final order, it means once your trial date comes and you don't show up, your application will be set aside after two postponements, and you won't have the protection order.' Those who do return for trial are allowed to take no more than three people to accompany them to court. Domestic violence In a situation where your alleged perpetrator is a spouse whom you depend on, the NPA urged victims not to let this stop them from applying for a protection order, as there are systems in place to ensure their upkeep. 'In your application, in the interim order, there is a section that highlights that if this person was maintaining you and now you fear that if you open the case and he will not provide anymore, the magistrate will conduct an inquiry with you that clearly explains that this person was providing for you,' said Tshangela. ALSO READ: Public protector probe confirms inadequate GBV measures by justice department 'It will be a must that he must continue providing whatever he was providing for you. The court can oblige him to continue with the maintenance.' Monetary relief An applicant can also apply for emergency monetary relief – compensation for the things they lost due to their spouse's domestic violence conduct. 'If someone assaulted you to the point of getting admitted to the hospital and you lost your earnings, you can apply for that relief for the person to compensate you,' said Tshangela. 'If you have to relocate because you cannot be under one roof with your perpetrator, they must pay for the relocation. The presiding order decides on the duration of the payment. 'If you are married in community of property and you are being violated, the courts can grant an order that the perpetrator must move out, even if you're both owners of the property. The perpetrator must go.' For those who do not wish to return to their home, they can apply for a place of safety, where they are provided with accommodation. An applicant can also apply for a safety monetary notice, which forces the police to visit and monitor the applicant's safety. READ NEXT: Man sentenced to life after brutally murdering ex, despite protection order
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Man to appear in court for allegedly setting two women ablaze
The incident has left two women fighting for their lives in hospital with severe burn injuries. A 35-year-old man IN Mpumalanga will face two charges of attempted murder when he appears at the Emalahleni Magistrate's Court on Tuesday following his arrest for allegedly setting two women on fire. The suspect was arrested by police in connection with a brutal attack that took place on Wednesday, 23 July 2025, at approximately 6pm. The incident has left two women fighting for their lives in the hospital with severe burn injuries. Victims include mother of suspect's children Police reports indicate the accused allegedly set fire to two women. The first victim is a 21-year-old woman who is the mother of his children. The second victim is a 23-year-old woman who is said to be related to the suspect, who reportedly became a casualty while attempting to intervene in the attack. Police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli confirmed the severity of the victims' conditions. 'After the incident, the two female victims sustained serious burn wounds and were taken to hospital by a community member,' Mdhluli said. Both women remain in critical condition. 'The two women are currently fighting for their lives in hospital,' Mdhluli stated. ALSO READ: Alleged mastermind pleads not guilty in Lusikisiki trial, says he's been in jail for 17 years Swift police response leads to arrest Following the attack, community members reported the matter to the Vosman Police Station. Investigators moved quickly to track down the perpetrator. 'The matter was then reported to the police in Vosman and after an investigation was done, the suspect was traced and apprehended on the same night around 9pm, hence his court appearance,' Mdhluli explained. The suspect was arrested just three hours after the incident occurred, demonstrating rapid police response to the crime. ALSO READ: 'Why were alarm bells not sounded sooner?' – Jayden-Lee Meek's mother denied bail Provincial commissioner condemns attack The South African Police Service's acting provincial commissioner in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, has strongly condemned the incident. He emphasised the commitment of law enforcement to ensure justice for the victims. Mkhwanazi vowed that police investigators will collaborate closely with prosecutors throughout the legal proceedings. The swift arrest of the suspect reflects this commitment to pursuing justice. We wish a speedy recovery to the two victims. We hereby make a clarion call to Faith-Based Organisations, Community leaders, and Civil Society Groups to continue to work with us as public servants, in fighting GBVF within the society,' the General said. NOW READ: EC woman sentenced to life for murdering boyfriend in repeat GBV case
