“Don’t touch my sister; don’t touch my brother!”

This is the strong call that emerged from the meeting today between the South African Human Rights Commission, the Commission on Gender Equality, the Independent Electoral Commission, the Office of the Public Protector, and civil society organizations.

The incessant attacks on our sisters and brothers are an attack on all of us. Such senseless violence is never justifiable.

We call upon government to give a clear and coordinated response to this national emergency. There must be an immediate moratorium on the arrest and deportation of victims of violence, irrespective of their legal status. Government must take urgent steps to intensify security measures, including the reinforcement of the police where necessary.  In this matter, we call on the government to consider whether deployment of the military is necessary or not at this stage. The deployment of armed forces must be done within clearly controlled measures to stem the violence.

We call on the judiciary and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to ensure that special and extra-ordinary courts are set up in order to ensure that those arrested are brought to trial immediately.

We call upon the community to show clear and active support of our neighbours, friends, and colleagues where they are threatened by violence.  We appeal to neighbours not to move into the evacuated houses of those fleeing the violence. Those who do so must be reported to the local police. Our communities must not allow criminal elements to take advantage of the situation and must report to the police. We acknowledge the work that is being done by some Community Policing Forums and community organizations in affected areas. 

We call upon civil society organizations to mobilize their own constituencies to take an active stance against violence and to provide humanitarian support, including shelter, food provision, and protection.   We urge civil society institutions and organizations to work closely with the National Co-ordinating Team.

The role of the media cannot be overemphasized. We appeal to the media to ensure responsible communication.

Way forward: The organizations meeting here commit themselves to set up a coordinating team and to replicate this in all provinces.

We call on all South Africans to join us as we call out: do not touch my sister; do not touch my brother.