MEC Shongwe appeals on women not to withdraw cases of sexual abuse

25 November 2009  

Acting MEC for Mpumalanga Safety, Security and Liaison Mr Vusi Shongwe has urged victims of abuse not to withdraw reported cases from the police stations. 

Shongwe was addressing people who came to witness the Launch of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign held at Mangweni in the Nkomazi Municipality. 

The MEC said people needed to utilise government resources prudently by being at the forefront in the fight against crime. 

“Our mothers and sisters who come to the police stations to open cases relating to abuse, should work with the police in ensuring that reported cases are successfully concluded. 

“You are not helping us when you open a case today and tomorrow you come back and withdraw the same case. This is waste of resources and it is not encouraged. 

“When we talk about being frontal in the fight against this crime, we refer to a solidified partnership with the victims too,” said Shongwe.

He explained that government had made crime and corruption its priority and was aware that it could not win the war alone. He said government needed participation of all stakeholders in order to succeed in the fight against crime. 

Shongwe added that the provincial government was concerned with the last financial year’s crime statistics. Mpumalanga province recorded over 4 500 cases of sexual abuse. He said in partnership with communities, government needed to uncompromisingly confront sexual abuse.

“Despite having a world-renowned constitution and a legislative overhaul that safeguard women’s rights, we still have among our communities high level of violence against women and children

“We need to ensure that the level of awareness is increased so that negative impacts of this violence are well exposed. We will like to encourage our people more especially the victims, to expose the perpetrators,” he said.

As part of the campaign; Shongwe, departmental officials, SAPS and representatives of the Nkomazi Municipality visited two child-headed houses and a community centre to show the support of the department by giving the inhabitants of those houses food parcels.

The newly appointed Mpumalanga SAPS Commissioner, Commissioner Thulani Ntobela said incidences of sexual abuse were mainly caused by liquor abuse. 

He said that most crime took place on weekends, from Friday to Sunday between 16h00 to 04h00  respectively.

“As SAPS we are here to bring a message of hope that today is better than yesterday. This campaign should not only be for 16 days, but should become our everyday job as the police.  

“We need you to participate in sector policing so that you will alert us when you witness domestic violence since police officers cannot be in every street corner,” said Ntobela.

He explained that 24 percent cases of sexual abuse happened to people who were between 1 to 20 years old and those between 13 to 17 years made up 32 percent. However those from 18 years old upwards were the real victims.

The Mpumalanga community safety, security and liaison department, in partnership with other departments has scheduled a string of activities to generated increased awareness of the negative impact of violence on women and children that will run until the end of the campaign on 10 December 2009. 

Among others, there will be gender-based violence awareness campaigns, human trafficking awareness campaign, marketing of victim friendly centres and anti-rape awareness campaigns.

Enquiries:

Joseph Mabuza
Tel: 013 766 4055
Cell: 082 678 1450

Issued by: Department of Safety, Security and Liaison

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