MEC for Human Settlements, Safety and Liaison Helen Sauls-August has called for an urgent multi- sectoral response to incidents of rape, murder and attack on women, children and elderly in the province.

"Broader Community involvement in fighting crime should surpass government initiated programmes and become a societal issue that brings people together to fight crime." Two more incidents of rape on two elderly women were reported in the province this week, adding to the continued surge of rape, violence on women over the past months in the province.

A 78 year old woman was raped on Sunday also in Mqanduli and another 68 year old woman was raped the following day, on Monday in Mkhathini, Mqanduli.

"We are alarmed at the rate of these sporadic attacks and violation of women in the province. Everybody in every corner of the street should help us protect women and children, particularly elderly in the province."

"We call upon all relatives, children and grandchildren of elderly people not to leave them un-attended or alone in their homes because these perpetrators pounce on the elderly when they are alone," she said.

She has called for civil society, youth formations, churches and traditional leaders to assist police in protecting women, children and elderly by providing much needed information to police for quick arrests of the suspects and prevention of these attacks.