On Monday, ANC branch secretary in inner city Johannesburg zone 12, Thabang Setona, allegedly assaulted a woman by repeatedly kicking her during a confrontation at the ANC headquarters, Luthuli House. The woman was yanked off a truck during a confrontation between the so-called #DefendLuthuliHouse campaign and Black First Land First (BLF) supporters over President Jacob Zuma’s tenure.

The attack happened in full view of journalists and police.

The truck in which the woman and her husband were travelling was attacked as it went past Luthuli House where the #DefendLuthuliHouse supporters were waiting. The woman was repeatedly kicked while she squirmed in agony in the road.

The incident received wide condemnation in a country with extremely high statistics of gender-based violence (GBV). It should be regrettable that the attack was inflicted by the same ANC which has been notably loud in favour of gender equality, especially gender-based violence.

The psychological effects of gender-based violence as produced by the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) include:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (including nightmares, intrusive memories, flashbacks, numbing, hyperarousal, hypervigilance);

• Major depression (temper outbursts, tiredness, worthlessness, hopelessness, helplessness, irritability, insomnia, restlessness, loss of appetite or overeating);

• Complex trauma (persistent feelings of emptiness, anger, sadness, self-mutilation, preoccupation with the perpetrator);

• Generalised anxiety disorders (overanxious, fearful, constantly worried).

The 2016 report also noted that there are various forms of gender-based violence, including domestic, physical, emotional, economic and sexual violence. Domestic violence was found to be the most common form of gender-based violence among partners. It often involves physical violence or threats of violence. This kind of violence may also involve sexual assault, battery, coercion and sexual harassment.

Physical violence is another common form of gender-based violence. This form involves hitting, slapping, kicking, punching, pushing and so forth. Weapons such as knives and other sharp instruments are often used during physical violence. Sexual violence is another common form of gender-based violence among partners, and may involve rape, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and trafficking for sexual purposes.

Femicide was also common, characterised by the murder of a female partner by an intimate male partner.

In 2012, a study conducted by Gender Links found that 77% of women in Limpopo, 51% in Gauteng, 45% in the Western Cape and 36% in KwaZulu-Natal had experienced some form of gender-based violence (Gender Links 2012). Men were the main perpetrators of this violence. For example, 76% of men in Gauteng, 48% in Limpopo and 41% in KwaZulu-Natal admitted to perpetrating gender-based violence.

But despite the statistics, and politically correct rhetoric by the ruling ANC, there are scant indications that the party is genuinely committed to the fight against gender-based violence.

“I don’t recall us keeping records of ANC perpetrators of gender-based violence, unless they have been reported. Many of these cases are never reported so we never really get to know about them. These are issues that are normally taken care of by law enforcement agencies,” the ANC’s Sam Mutalitali Modiba said.

The ANC’s Jolidee Matongo, a branch secretary in the Johannesburg region, said the only case they were aware of was that of Patrick Wisani. Wisani was in 2016 found guilty of the murder of his girlfriend Nosipho Mandleleni.

Wisani was the chairperson of an ANC youth branch in the inner Johannesburg area. Media reports also suggest that Wisani was friends with Setona, the perpetrator of the recent violence against the woman assaulted near Luthuli House. “The reason we don’t keep records of perpetrators is because it’s difficult to track all members involved in these crimes,” Matongo said.

Apart from the legal process, there were no internal ANC disciplinary processes initiated against Wisani, other than the ANC saying that domestic violence will not be tolerated in its ranks.

Former Deputy Minister of Higher Education Mduduzi Manana remains an ANC NEC member despite admitting that he assaulted women at a nightclub in Johannesburg. No internal ANC processes were initiated against Manana.

All these factors point to the ANC’s reluctance to discipline its members. All Manana did was apologise to the women.

KwaZulu-Natal, which has a greater number of ANC supporters, could not state whether they kept records of members who have been caught up in gender-based violence. The province’s disciplinary structures refused to comment on the matter and referred any requests for comment to ANC KZN Chairperson Sihle Zikalala or KZN ANC convenor Mike Mabuyakhulu.

A regional member who did not want to be identified told Daily Maverick that these matters are generally dealt with by law enforcement agencies and the party did not institute internal disciplinary measures against members.

“Besides, the reason why it’s difficult for us to keep records of our members involved in GBV cases is because it’s almost impossible to track every ANC member involved in such,” the KZN regional disciplinary committee member said.

In November 2017 ANC Members of Parliament praised the party’s policies for the prevention of gender-based violence during an annual debate on gender-based violence in Parliament. The party said at the time that such policies showed its commitment to addressing gender-based violence.

Opposition parties said that the ANC’s policies were a complete failure as gender-based violence in the country was on the increase.

Various ANC structures weighed in on the assault of the woman at Luthuli House, including the ANC Women’s League.

The league called for those assaulted on Monday to lay civil claims against the organisers of the #DefendLuthuliHouse campaign.

“All of them must face the full might of the law,” read the statement by the ANC Women’s League, which has been an ally of Zuma throughout his rape trial in which he was acquitted.

The ANC also condemned the incident. “The ANC condemns in the strongest possible terms the assault of protesters by a grouping outside the ANC headquarters, Chief Albert Luthuli House… The ANC calls upon all law enforcement agencies to act without fear or favour to bring the perpetrators to book. Should these perpetrators be found to be members of the ANC, the relevant structures must, without delay, institute disciplinary proceedings against them.”

It remains to be seen whether Setona will be subjected to the party’s disciplinary procedures. DM

Photo: Violence against women, we can stop it! Photo: European Parliament/Pietro Naj-Oleari