Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mamoloko Kubayi has called on communities to make use of avenues like police stations and magistrates’ courts to deal with gender-based violence in their communities.
“Visit your local police stations and magistrate courts for assistance,” Kubayi said.
Kubayi was speaking on the eve of Women’s Day commemoration at Ga-Kgapane village during the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) cluster Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Awareness Activation on Friday.
Kubayi told the local communities that they should report cases of GBVF to their nearest police stations.
“Government decided to visit communities to hear from them how can they be assisted to fight GBVF,” Kubayi said adding that the visits are done to ensure that communities have knowledge on what to do when dealing with GBVF and ensure the safety of women and children.
The Minister Kubayi said in some instances, people lack knowledge of how to deal with rape cases.
“We are encouraging you (women) to report cases of GBVF to your nearest police stations. The perpetrators must be arrested and be removed from our communities.”
The Minister and her entourage started day by visiting local police stations and magistrate courts interacting with the police and magistrates.
Minister Kubayi said there is a need for more Thuthuzela Care Centres at police stations throughout the country.
Thuthuzela Care Centres are one-stop facilities that have been introduced as a critical part of South Africa’s anti-rape strategy, aiming to reduce secondary victimisation and to build a case ready for successful prosecution.
More than 50 centres have been established since 2006.
Giving a message of support, Tsakane Maluleke from South African Women Lawyers Association in Limpopo encouraged people not to look away when incidences of abuse are taking place in their homes and communities.
“When it happens to your neighbour, don’t look away, report the abuse at your nearest police stations. We must all joint hands in the fight against gender-based violence. We should all take part in fighting the scourge of abuse in our communities,” Maluleke said.
Maluleke said that in 1956 women marched to the Union Buildings against the pass laws and their concerns were heard.
“Today we have a new challenge, if we unite and come together, we will win this war against Gender-based violence,” Maluleke said, adding that it is everybody’s responsibility to take of the children.
Tinyiko Rikhotso, a mother of two from Tzaneen, told SAnews that she is happy that the Minister spoke about issues pertaining to gender-based violence.
“More and more women are being abused by their partners on daily bases but do not know what to do or where to go for help,” Rikhotso said.
Rikhotso said most women end up dying at the hands of their partners because of lack of knowledge.
Echoing same sentiments was Pretty Selamulela, who said the women must be encouraged to leave abusive relationships before it is too late.
“Police must work hard and arrest all those who abuse women and children and send them to jail for a very long time,” Selamulela said.
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa will officiate at the National Women’s Day Commemoration on Saturday, 09 August.
Women’s Month 2025 marks the 69th anniversary of the historic 1956 demonstration in which about 20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August to protest against the extension of pass laws and the Urban Areas Act.
President Ramaphosa accompanied by Cabinet Ministers will address the national commemoration of Women's Day under the theme: “Building Resilient Economies for All”. – SAnews.gov.za
