Women under siege

When will the murders end? When will women, in particular, be able to walk the streets again feeling safe? The matter is under intense investigation and the authorities must leave no stone unturned.

Questions will be asked given the location of the discovery of Shannon’s body. On Tuesday, relatives told the media that Shannon had indicated she would be visiting stores, including the company in which her body was eventually found. Two days later, on Thursday, the body was found in the same spot that relatives stated was supposed to be Shannon’s last stop before leaving for home.

Speculation is rife over the circumstances of the death, but a big question that will have to be asked is whether adequate checks were done at Charlotte Street and whether Shannon may have still been alive while checks were being made. We simply do not know — that is a matter for the authorities.

What we do know, and what many have observed, is women seem to be under siege.

Shannon’s disappearance brought back memories of that of Ria Sookdeo, whose fate is still unknown. Ria appeared to vanish on September 22 while doing a regular family run, returning from dropping her children to school. Reports have placed her at all sorts of locations, from the forest to Venezuela.

Shannon’s death also resurrected questions about the death of another woman, Shanese Samuel, who was employed at the same store in which Shannon’s body was found.

The latest developments on Charlotte Street came as another woman, mother of five Cheryl Aberdeen Cooper, was gunned down in broad daylight in a car, seated next to her husband.

There has been no determination of a motive.

She was due to testify in court due to a land dispute, but whether this is germane will be a matter, again, for law enforcement authorities.

It seems it is dangerous for women on our streets. People are disappearing doing everyday things: shopping, sitting in cars on the road, dropping children to school. This is an assault on our society of epic proportions.

Given the levels of fear that have been generated — as expressed on social media and elsewhere — terrorism is the only appropriate word.

We join the police in calling on all citizens to report matters to the police. We are not saying citizens must risk life and limb to testify in court – indeed they do not have to as our witness protection programme has maintained a good record, despite claims to the contrary by people who are not in the programme.

We are simply pointing to the role that is played by communities.

Cooperation with police is essential. If you see anything suspicious, report it. Without the help of the man in the street, crime is not going to go anywhere.

Everyone has a role to play. Educators, local government bodies, businesses, even religious leaders.

Not only are there murders, but sacred spaces like churches continue to be vandalised.

There is a lot of concern about human trafficking in our society, and rightfully so when people seem to vanish out of thin air.

Today, as we mark World Human Rights Day, we note that the basic human right is the right to life. Another right is to a life free from discrimination, regardless of gender, race, creed, class, sexual orientation or otherwise. Sadly, these rights all seem to be under attack. We must work better to safeguard each other.