By Nangamso Mabindla

Buffalo City's Executive Mayor Sindisile Maclean officially opened the Tembisa Maclean Safehouse for Abused Women and Children in East London yesterday.

The safehouse - which has been named after the mayor's late wife, Tembisa - offered hope and protection to the most vulnerable in society, Cllr Maclean said at the opening.

"The opening of this second safehouse comes at a time when we are in the grip of evil mindless violence, violence that is tearing apart the very fabric of our society with unspeakable ungodly acts," he said.

The mayor said he drew comfort from efforts made by people such as Melonie Gobel, who works for the Living Waters Ministry, an organisation that assists victims of abuse and is responsible for running the safehouse.

Cllr Maclean said the safehouse was "a tremendous contribution to our society through compassionate people like Melonie and her board of directors as well as Johnson & Johnson." The pharmaceutical company has donated the seven-bedroomed house rent-free.

About R200 000 has been spent on upgrading the house, which will shelter women and children escaping abusive situation. The safehouse is the second to be opened in East London by the Living Waters Ministry.

Click here to read the Executive Mayor's full speech

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