Spokesperson for the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, Morapedi Sekhoane, said that Augustine’s death dealt a blow to the Northern Cape provincial administration.
THE FUNERAL of Chareen Augustine (née May) who was employed at the cultural affairs directorate at the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture was held at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Squarehill Park on Friday.
The police are investigating a case of murder after her body was found at her house in Stamford Street on August 22.
No arrests have been made yet.
Spokesperson for the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture Morapedi Sekhoane stated that Augustine was an activist.
“It is unfortunate that Augustine herself became a statistic of gruesome gender based violence (GBV). To make matters worse her murder comes at a time when the country and the province are commemorating Women’s Month where issues of GBV and femicide are topping the agenda.
“The Department urges law enforcement agencies not to leave any stone unturned in the search for the perpetrator/s who took the official’s life away. We also urge the prosecution to oppose any bail application and ensure that the guilty party is convicted to safeguard against similar occurrences in the future.”
He added that Augustine’s death dealt a blow to the Northern Cape provincial administration.
“She was amongst a crop of officials who established the DSAC since its inception in 1994. Augustine made an immense contribution towards nation building and social cohesion through her work in organising commemorative events. She served the province without demanding accolades and rewards. She was indeed an excellent public servant who embodied all batho pele principles.”
Sekhoane stated that the department held a memorial service on Thursday.
