Police Minister Bheki Cele has vowed to ensure that all police stations have a dedicated unit dealing with gender-based cases to ensure successful prosecution.
Cele was part of the justice cluster committee which briefed the media about the progress in the fight against gender-based violence as Women’s Month drew to a close yesterday.
Cele also made a commitment to fire cops who turn away victims of gender-based violence from any of the 1153 police stations across the country.
In his address in Pretoria yesterday, he admitted that there was a massive increase of GBV while the country was battling with the outbreak of Covid-19.
He said the police special family violence unit has been provided with specialised training to deal with GBV cases and to develop a water-tight case against the perpetrators.
“For the past six months, we’ve been able to secure 217 life terms for perpetrators of gender-based violence.
“This was due to the work of police officers who received specialised training to treat victims of gender-based violence with compassion,” Cele said.
Turned
But he expressed concern that women were still complaining about being turned away from cop shops when they report cases.
“They (the officers) do not have a place in the South African Police Service (SAPS). We are going to deal with them,” Cele said.
He also released a thick directory which contains contact numbers of station commissioners in all nine provinces including his own number and that of his deputy, Cassel Mathale.
“People must use the directory. If they can’t get any help they can directly contact me or the Deputy Minister of Police.
“Those that cannot get assistance can also call the police hotline number 0800 333 177,” Cele said.
CONCERNED: Bheki Cele says GBV has increased