Note to Broadcasters: Please find attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Arista Annandale
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mahikeng is deeply shocked and saddened by the alleged murder of a 48-year-old mother in Mosiane View over the weekend. It is alleged that her 25-year-old son murdered her and, while attempting to dismember the body, was shot by a neighbour who intervened.
This horrific tragedy exposes the depth of the social decay affecting communities across Mahikeng, from substance abuse to family breakdown and rising violence. It is a painful reminder that these are not isolated incidents, but possibly symptoms of a broader failure to address deep-rooted social problems.
While the motive remains unclear, it is suspected that substance abuse may have played a role in this gruesome act. Drug and alcohol abuse in Mahikeng have reached alarming levels, with devastating ripple effects on families, children, and community safety.
The DA calls for an urgent, coordinated response from the Department of Social Development, SAPS, and community leaders to address the root causes of such tragedies. The DA will write to the MEC for Social Development, Ms. Sussana Dantjie, and the MEC for Department of Community Safety and Transport Services, Mr. Wessels Morweng, to request a comprehensive report on the state of social ills in Mahikeng including substance abuse, domestic violence, unemployment, and homelessness as well as the number of social workers currently deployed and the Department’s plans to capacitate them.
The DA will also request a joint portfolio committee meeting to ensure that these matters get the attention they deserve.
This tragic incident must serve as a wake-up call. The DA stands with the people of Mahikeng and will continue to fight for stronger social support systems, better policing, and targeted intervention programs to protect vulnerable residents.
It is time to act and to confront the drug epidemic, restore family support structures, and rebuild safe, caring communities in Mahikeng.