Bheki revisits the plan to tackle GBV
PREVENTION: Police Minister Bheki Cele says the police need to do more. Picture: Tracey Adams/African News Agency (ANA)
Police Minister Bheki Cele says South Africans can’t turn away abuse as the nation embarks on 16 Days of Activism for Non-violence against Women and Children today.
On Tuesday, Cele called for action, not words but said SAPS officials often face the challenge of cases being dropped as women would be pressured to do so by families and friends.
Cele said statistics show that SAPS have been improving on reacting to gender-based violence cases, but he said more work needs to be done on prevention.
He said in some instances police reacted only after the victim died.
Crime statistics released by Cele recently showed that there were more than 8000 cases of sexual violence in a period of three months, during lockdown.
There were also more than 5000 murders in the same period.
Part of the measures taken was to train SAPS members to handle GBV cases.
They also want to ensure every police station would have officers trained on GBV matters.
He said since July this year, the unit along with the National Prosecuting Authority, had ensured over 90 life sentences in GBV cases.
Cele said over 300 cops were being trained to join the FCS units to be based at police stations.
There are over 1500 police stations in the country and Cele admits the small number of trainees were insufficient to fill the gap currently.
Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu said her department was focused on re-launching GBV command centres which will act as one-stop areas for all issues related to abuse.
She said more social workers were being trained to deal with trauma management.
A few months ago President Cyril Ramaphosa said they had identified 30 hotspots on GBV across the country.
This followed a spike in GBV cases during the start of the lockdown.
Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said as part of this year’s campaign they want to focus on the empowerment of women.
“The theme also highlights the role of women in the world of work, access to opportunities, unfair treatment, and being counted as an equal citizen even at male-dominated sectors.
“It also links to women’s ability to leave abusive relationships which they endure due to economic dependency,” the minister said in her opening address.