Interim Chairperson of Akasia policing forum, Lerato Makwe, conducted a GBV workshop with the intention of educating community members on how to prevent/ GBV cases, on Friday, March 6th at Lutheran Church.

 

Church leaders, law enforcement, the CPF, and the taxi association collaborated in raising awareness on how the GBV pandemic can be reduced. “if the community was to work with law enforcement, we would have a less rate of such cases”, Lerato stated.

 

Makwe works closely with South African Police Services (SAPS), community members, and stake holders to strengthen partnerships aimed at improving safety and crime prevention within the community.

 

Sergeant Dlandla addresses the forum stating GBV is a pandemic in the country and the constitution of South Africa. Chapter of the bill of rights section 10 talks about human dignity, and no human dignity should be violated. Section 14 of the bill of rights talks about the right of freedom and no one’s freedom should be violated. It’s the governments duty to serve and protect every citizen, “no person should go through violence for it’s a criminal offence”, stated Sergeant Dlandla.

 

Victims have the right to go to a police station and ask to be interviewed privately, SAPS has a mandate to ask the victim if they need medical intervention if they are a victim of GBV, rape or any form of violence committed to them. Community members are urged to have faith in law enforcement and that their rights will be protected.

 

Detective warrant officer Maphanga states that mob justice doesn’t work and relevant people should be invited to come on board. The taxi association has also collaborated with Tshwane SAPS In helping stop GBV or any criminal activities.

 

The taxi association has also collaborated with Tshwane SAPS in helping stop GBV or any other criminal activities. Member of the taxi Association, Jack Modiba, joined the workshop in day 2 stating the taxi association encounters a lot of cases each and every day so they took it upon themselves to help stop crime.