Police stations should be more
responsive to victims of abuse - Shongwe
Media Advisory
28 November 2011
Mpumalanga Community
Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi
Shongwe has called on SAPS in the
province to be more responsive to
victims of abuse so that they do not
become subjected to secondary
victimization.
Shongwe explained that failure to assist
victims of abuse adequately would lead
to victims not speaking out or reporting
cases of abuse.
Shongwe was speaking during the opening
ceremony of the 16 Days of Activism For
No Violence Against Women and Children
held on Friday (25 November 2011) at
Mattafin near Mbombela Stadium.
Shongwe said police stations should
become places of safety and there is no
reason for victims to be abused further.
The MEC said that the government’s
effort to assist victims will make women
to appreciate police stations and this
would lead to more reporting of such
cases which would lead to creating peace
in the homes.
He also called on communities to speak
out and expose perpetrators so that they
can face the full might of the law.
“I am also appealing to abused women and
children to come out and report abusive
husbands and other family members. Even
if they think these are minor cases
which they believe they can solved at
homes,” said MEC.
He said some victims would be
discouraged to report cases due to
“perceived” lack of justice for the
victims. He has therefore called on SAPS
and the entire criminal justice system
to be more active and assist adequately
so that they can speak out.
The MEC said it would be of no use for
victims to speak out and yet the cases
are not speedily finalized due to
technicalities.
He has also pleaded with parents to look
after their children and ensure that
they know about their whereabouts at all
times.
Shongwe has also expressed a concern
that while government has managed to
distribute free condoms, some people are
not utilizing them but instead opt for
abortions when they fall pregnant.
Shongwe has attributed this to massive
advertisements of abortion services on
street lamp posts and newspapers.
Meanwhile, the chairperson of the
Mpumalanga House of Traditional leaders,
Inkosi Sipho Mahlangu appealed to
government to escalate the campaign in
rural villages were abuse is mostly
felt, unnoticed and under-reported.
Mahlangu said first hand information
should be sourced from traditional
councils where most abuse takes place.
He has pledged that the Traditional
leadership will continue to support
government’s effort to root out domestic
violence.
Prior to the commencement of the event,
the MEC and his entourage presented 10
destitute families with food parcels
that the department received from
Standard Bank in Mpumalanga. The
families were identified by local social
workers in collaboration with the CPF
and other community structures.
The campaign is an international drive
for the elimination of gender based
violence. The campaign runs from 25
November to 10 December every year.
It focuses primarily on generating an
increased awareness of the negative
impact of violence on women and
children.
Issued by Mpumalanga Department of
Community Safety, Security and Liaison
Enquiries: Mr. Joseph Mabuza
Tel: 013 766 4055
Cell: 082 678 1450
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