Media statement
Tuesday, 18 October 2022
MAHIKENG – The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) in North-West is saddened that yet another nurse has been lost to the public service after she was raped and killed brutally in her place of residence in Schweizer Reneke on the night of 12 October in yet another case of Gender-Based Violence.
Iris Mamotlakana Mohokare was found in a pool of blood the following day. She was working as a nurse at Ipelegeng Clinic in Schweizer Reneke and was a proud member of DENOSA.
A suspect, who stays just opposite her place, has since been arrested. He appeared briefly in court yesterday (17 October) for his bail application, and the case has been postponed to 24 October for a bail hearing. DENOSA is opposed to the granting of bail to the suspect and calls for the justice system to make use of the opportunity and send a strong message to society that the abuse and harassment of women and children are not tolerated by the state.
Her memorial service is being held today at the Ipeleng Multipurpose Centre in Schweizer Reneke between 12h00 and 15h00.
DENOSA is horrified by the brutal manner in which the humble nurse was killed in her place of safety. Not only is her loss a cause of untold pain to her family, but the community of Ipelegeng has lost a key healthcare service provider whose hand of healing for the community has been taken away for good at the time many facilities are experiencing serious staff shortages.
The rise of the killing of women and the vulnerable in our society is a clear sign to the justice system and law enforcement agencies that criminals have noticed the poor state of safety and security in South Africa generally and are now exploiting the opportunity by inflicting pain on innocent lives and the victims whose protection against crime is the responsibility of the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele. In a time where crime has worsened in both society and healthcare facilities, DENOSA finds it senseless that Minister Cele would expect the improvement of safety for people when the numbers of police continue to be lower than what they used to before.
DENOSA calls for a paradigm shift in the mode of laxity with which the many deaths of innocent lives has been responded by the state. The pain on the killing of a nurse goes deeper and also has direct effects on the care that patients receive in a facility where such a nurse worked.
DENOSA calls on community members and organisations to voice their feelings about the debilitating effects of crime on people amongst them.
DENOSA in North-West calls on the Minister of Police to do his work for a change!
DENOSA says enough is enough.
End
Issued by DENOSA in North-West.
For more information, contact:
Reuben Molete, DENOSA Provincial Secretary.
Mobile: 071 645 6336
Motlalepule Maikepa, DENOSA Provincial Chairperson.
Mobile: 076 673 1172
