Crowds have been gathering since 03:00 on Friday at the JSE in Sandton, Johannesburg, to protest against gender-based violence. 

This follows the release of the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) crime statistics on Thursday, which revealed that were 2 771 women murdered in the past fiscal year – a decrease of 5.4%, but still a significant number.

In addition, 36 597 sexual offences against women were reported in the same period.

READ | ‘It cannot be business as usual’ – civil society groups to shutdown Sandton

Gender-based violence has been in the spotlight in the past few weeks following the brutal murders of several woman, which sparked the #AmINext movement that saw several women outing alleged sexual offenders.

Around 10 000 people are expected to protest at the JSE on Friday.

The protest action has been organised by 72 organisations who say they have had enough. Footage on eNCA showed a large number of spirited protesters turning up in large numbers with the message: “Hands off our womxn”.

Bathabile Dlamini chased away

The ANC Women’s League joined the protesters in their official regalia but the league’s president, Bathabile Dlamini, was forced to leave as protesters chanted “Khwezi! Khwezi!”

Khwezi was the name used for Fezekile Ntsukela Kuzwayo, who in 2005 accused former president Jacob Zuma of raping her. Zuma was acquitted. Kuzwayo passed away in 2016.

Fatima Moutloatse of the Black Womxn Caucus said the protest action would be peaceful and a memorandum of demands would be handed over, Netwerk24 reported.

JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said that the protest was legal and that around 10 000 people were expected to protest until 15:00. He urged motorists to avoid the area. Several roads leading to Sandton will be closed, including Rivonia Road, Maude Street and Gwen Lane.

Minnaar added that authorities will be visible and ensure traffic is directed effectively to prevent congestion in all major routes into Sandton and around it, Sandton Chronicle reported.

This is a developing story.

At the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in the city’s economic hub. #ShutDownSandton has begun. Protestors want corporate South Africa to take a stand against gender based violence- organizers want government to act against what they are calling a national crisis #SouthAfrica pic.twitter.com/HBTPmeOqmD

— Fahmida Miller (@FahmidaMiller) September 13, 2019

Ao poor Ma'm Bathabile Dlamini, they chased her like a novice in what she thought would be her moment to reinvent herself early this morning in Sandton during #ShutDownSandton. Women shouted 'Khwezi, Khwezi, Khwezi'. She was whisked away to avoid further embarassment??????

— Abel Diale (@DialeAbel) September 13, 2019

If you don't respect our existence

Expect our resistance #SandtonShutdown#IWILLNOTBENEXT #ShutDownSandton pic.twitter.com/lmYeRJgyva

— Mwanahamisi Singano (@MSalimu) September 13, 2019

Rest in Power ✊? #SueAnnKlaasen

Say her name Sue-Anne Klassen fondly known as Dre

May your soul find peace and may we find justice for you! Uitenhage showed up for you ??

My heart is broken ?#ShutDownSandton#justicefordre#GenderBasedViolence#AmINext pic.twitter.com/OgCNuFcphT

— Big Virgo Energy ♍ (@KelEldine) September 13, 2019

#shutdownSandton#Therandwillbleedwithoutus#Nowomennoeconomy#Womenlivesovercurrency#Enoughisenough#Iwillnotbenext pic.twitter.com/4rHVh8xnBz

— Media visibilty for women (@WomenExpoJoburg) September 13, 2019

#SandtonShutdown pic.twitter.com/W6GZBfcKdW

— Thabo Tshabalala (@thabo_tsh) September 13, 2019

#SandtonShutdown#IWILLNOTBENEXT #ShutDownSandton pic.twitter.com/SSxj4Np9FR

— Mwanahamisi Singano (@MSalimu) September 13, 2019

– Compiled by Riaan Grobler

(Source: News24)