A body of a woman that was recently discovered by passers-by at dusty soccer fields of Protea Glen Extension 31 in Soweto has been identified as Phuthi Ramara who is 21 years old.
Ramara was last seen with her two cousins where they said they are going to visit their male friends in Protea. On 7 December 2020, her body was found dumped and naked.
“Ramara did not come back home instead was found dead with wounds on her forehead. Her cousins have been questioned by police but at this point, it is not yet clear about what led to her death”, said one of the family members.
Ramara was believed to have been raped and her body was later removed by the police. This year in September, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the country is in a process to tighten law amendments on gender-based violence and sexual offenses.
“We are planning to implement sexual offenses and related matters amendment act, domestic violence amendment bill, criminal and related matters amendment bill in order to strengthen judgment on GBV. Once the bills have been finalised, the confidence of South African women will be restored as they will feel protected. Amendment Act of Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Bill will create a new offense on sexual intimidation. The bill will also be tight on granting bail to suspects of gender-based violence and femicide. Older people will be protected against abuse done by family members”, said Ramaphosa.
He added that in some cases it is sad because women are brutally killed intentionally just because they are women. Ramaphosa described gender-based violence as the second pandemic following Covid-19 in the country.
