The South African Police Service in Tzaneen led by the Cluster Commander, Major General Maggy Mathebula, today on 2019-04-05, together with members from Provincial External Communication led by Captain Nemavhola, have partnered with various stakeholders to conduct crime awareness campaigns around the Cluster aiming to mobilise the community in the fight against crime. Community members and learners were addressed on different crime related topics.
The team started with the safer schools campaign at Mabje-A-Kgoro Primary Schol in Relela village in the Tzaneen Policing area where about 664 leaners and Parents were addressed on various topics relating to crime.
The Teams proceeded to Khesethwane High School in the Mokwakwaila Policing and school uniform was donated to ten (10) needy Learners. In the same Policing area, a safer schools campaign was conducted at Mohale Primary school where 505 learners where reached and school uniform was also donated to six (06) Leaners.
These campaigns were conducted under the theme “SAFE AT SCHOOL, HOME, COUNTRY & THE WORLD: End Violence against Women and Children”. Child abuse and Gangsterism.
The following stakeholders formed part of the campaigns:
Community Policing Forums (CPF), Youth Against Crime, Business Forum, Department Of Basic Education, School Governing Bodies and
Head men, Sports and recreation, Gambling Board and the Greater Tzaneen Municipality.
The Cluster Commander, Major General Maggy Mathebula addressed Leaners, Educators, Parents and the community at large about the following:
– Issues that affect them, where and how to report crime. They were encouraged to report any crime and abuse to the police and not to take the law into their own hands.
The following issues were highlighted:
Bullying, Gangsters, Rape, child abuse, dealing in illegal substances and alcohol abuse, murder, How to report Crime, Where to report crime, Domestic violence , missing persons, taking care of the children at all times, not to leave children alone or unsupervised, not to send them to the shops late or to the remote areas.
Crime trends such as hijackings, robbery, domestic violence, Stokvel money and prevention of robberies and crime in general were also dealt with.
The school Principal DR Mohale, the school management, SGB, stakeholders, pupils and Parents appreciated the visit, donation of school uniforms and the partnership Policing in ensuring child safety and putting children’s interests first and the fight to stop woman and child abuse.
Major General Mathebula in her closing remarks, indicated that the Job of Police officers is not only to arrest! But to also care for the society and that “It takes the village to raise a child”.