PORT ELIZABETH – In the last few weeks issues of Gender-Based Violence was of serious concern and has caught the attention of the highest authority in the land.
In order to curb violence against women and children, every person in South Africa and every organisation, both government and non-governmental must play a serious role in sensitising and educating boys and men on Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The South African Police Service is mandated to protect every citizen in this country and therefore is committed to ensuring public safety.
On Friday morning, 13 September 2019, in a joint effort, all police personnel and Community Policing Forums in the Mount Road Policing Cluster (7 stations) took to the streets handing out flyers urging the communities to stand united against GBV.
Police and representatives of the CPF’s handed out flyers at busy robots and intersections as well as in the CBD and shopping malls. The awareness initiative was welcomed by drivers, passengers and foot pedestrians alike.
Mount Road Cluster Commander, Maj Gen Thembisile Patekile has urged responsible citizens to report these crimes and not to take the law into their own hands. “I urge the communities and victims to come together and stand united in the fight against women abuse. Gender-Based Violence is a severe problem and one incident is one too many. Women should not keep quiet instead report the perpetrator so that he could be dealt with according to the law,” added Maj Gen Patekile.
Mount Road Cluster Community Police Board Chairman, Mr Timothy Hendricks reached out to the communities by adding that ‘” it is everyone’s responsibility and not only the SAPS to fight the scourge of Gender-Based Violence. The instilling of moral ethics start in the home and parents must play a pivotal role in teaching their children to respect and to honour everyone. As the CPF, we will continue to work closely with our partners in the SAPS as we strive to build gender equality and prevent and combat Gender-Based Violence.”