By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi laments the absence of the South African police at the funeral of 22-year-old Chesnay Keppler, who was killed by her 42-year-old police boyfriend.
Lesufi said the law enforcement missed an opportunity to clarify things with the Keppler family and the Eldorado Park community.
“I strongly believe the South African law enforcement have missed an opportunity to be here today and face the family,” Lesufi said.
“Their absence adds to the misery, pain and their absence must not be encouraged.”
On Saturday, Eldorado Park residents alongside Gauteng Traffic Wardens filled the Dan Mateman Hall to bid farewell to Keppler.
The slain Gauteng Traffic Warden was fatally shot, on Boxing Day, by her police officer boyfriend Mandla Buthelezi who has since been arrested.
Lesufi said he was concerned about crime against women and children in the province.
“When I came here, I received the sad news that a five-year-old in Duduza was not only raped but was killed and dumped in a dumping area,” he said.
He said he had also learnt that a teenage girl in Pretoria was killed, and her body was then burnt and dumped outside her house.
“This demonstrates that we are at war with vultures. We are at war with heartless people. We are at war with those who have chosen to become enemies of our people.”
He said the government was ready to take on the perpetrators of gender-based violence (GBV).
“We are not ready to retreat, and we are not ready to run away. We are ready to confront these monsters head-on.”
Lesufi told the crime wardens at the funeral that they had his full support in fighting crime in communities.
On Monday, the Eldorado Park community is expected to turn up in large numbers at the Protea Magistrate’s Court, where Buthelezi is expected to appear in court.