GBV activists call for better education on Protection Orders

August 29, 2025 38

The Tears Foundation, a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) advocacy group, has stressed the urgent need for police and the justice system to better educate and support complainants on how to properly use and enforce protection orders.

The foundation warns that without clear guidance on reporting breaches and engaging with police, protection orders provide little real protection.

This call comes amid renewed concerns about the effectiveness of protection orders, after two women were recently killed despite reportedly having such orders in place.

In one case, 20-year-old Kgaugelo Marota, was allegedly murdered by her ex-boyfriend, Lazarus Lito Anthonio, outside a tavern in Maubane Village, Hammanskraal.

Her family says she had endured months of abuse, and it’s understood she had a protection order against him because of a history of violence in their relationship.

@nexwavesa

Shocking new details have emerged in the case of Lazarus Antonio, the man who confessed on social media to killing his ex-girlfriend. His current girlfriend has revealed that the plan was meant to be a double murder and suicide. Antonio has now appeared in the Temba Magistrate’s Court, where he faces charges of murdering Kgaogelo Marota and attempting to kill Ikageng Kgadile. The revelations have intensified public outrage as the case continues. #NexWaveSa #SocialMediaKiller #KgaogeloMarota #TembaCourt #southafricanews

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In a separate case, 25-year-old Zenande Tshazibane was raped and murdered in her home in June — just days after she sought legal protection from her partner.

No arrests have been made.

@ilonabija1

His name is Velile Njana #fyp #fyp #ilonabija #SAMA28

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TEARS General Manager of Operations, Celeste Louw, says police protection is important, but people also need to know how to use protection orders so they can work as intended.

“The one way that we can help strengthen the system is by educating people who receive protection orders.”