WOMEN for Change founder Sabrina Walters is calling for an investigation into a shocking hit-and-run attack in Observatory during Friday’s anti-Gender-Based-Violence demonstrations.
Activists Maureen Witten, 70 and Mfuneko Mali, 29, were both hospitalised after a driver ran them over as they were standing in solidarity with residents from Singabalapha informal settlement at the national shutdown to oppose gender-based violence along Main Road.
Video footage shows the crowd holding hands when an impatient driver of a white Toyota Corolla rammed through them.
Mali landed on top of the car’s bonnet and sustained a broken arm from the subsequent fall, while Witten was dragged along due to the impact and fell to the ground, where she was badly bruised.
Maureen’s daughter, Roslynne Richman, 45, said the crowd was gathered in remembrance of Davidene Witbooi who worked at Pick n Pay in Observatory and was shot dead in Manenberg on Women’s Day this year.
Roslynne explained: “It was my mom’s first time ever taking part in something like that. I invited her and I felt terrible after what had happened.
“It was a peaceful demonstration. The traffic light was red and we decided to make a circle of unity and hold hands, the other drivers waited but there was a very impatient driver who had no regard and ploughed through the people.
“The driver sped off with the Mfuneko on the bonnet who now has a broken arm and my mom was standing next to Mfuneko holding hands and as the car sped off, the car’s mirror hit her and she fell to the ground.”
Roslynne said they immediately rushed her mom to hospital and spent the day in the emergency room. Thankfully Maureen has no broken bones and is recovering at home.
Founder of Women For Change, Sabrina Walter, is calling for an investigation and the immediate arrest of the perpetrator.
She said: “I am absolutely horrified by this senseless act of violence. Yesterday, millions of women and allies stood up against the brutality inflicted on women in South Africa, only for another man to deliberately harm two women during a peaceful act of resistance.
“This was a peaceful demonstration to honour victims and demand safety. We are in direct contact with the victims and supporting them and we are calling for the immediate arrest of the perpetrator and a full investigation into this incident.”
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said they responded to the scene but when they arrived they could not find any injured people.