A group of Women journalists and editors in the SABC newsroom have expressed their deep concern that violence against women – including female journalists – is on the rise.

This follows an attack on a Lesedi FM current affairs anchor Dimakatso Ratselane who was stabbed multiple times allegedly by her husband following a quarrel.

She is currently fighting for her life in a Bloemfontein hospital.

SABC economics editor Thandeka Gqubule-Mbeki says they are shocked and devastated by the brutal attack on their colleague but commit themselves to honour the best journalist practices of covering all forms of domestic abuse.

“We are utterly gutted just to see the brutality with which our colleague was assaulted. This level of cruelty and the attempt made to dehumanise her and other women made us not to remain silent.  So a number of us gathered in the newsroom to decide what we could do. We are using our pen and lens to shine a spotlight on the scourge of society and to recommit ourselves to honour the best journalistic practices to cover all forms of abuse, rape, female mutilation, and sexual harassment. Treat the victim with dignity.”

Reaction to brutal attack on Lesedi FM anchor:

Meanwhile, police in the Free State have escalated the attempted murder of Ratselane to the provincial level. Provincial police spokesperson Motantsi Makhele says a team of high-level investigators is working hard to get the suspect arrested.

Makhele has also appealed to the suspect to hand himself over to the police. “We just want to appeal to the suspect that you better come to the front so that we deal with the matter rather than catching up with you. Because this is a priority case. The provincial commissioner said gender-based violence, especially where we find that a person or a victim is injured. (…) it must be prioritised. We must not finish 24-hours without detecting the suspect.”