Domestic violence cases alarming in KwaThema
KwaThema - The provincial police united with other government departments, organisations and the community to raise awareness of different forms of abuse.
The gathering took place at the KwaThema Hall Civic Centre, last Friday, where locals where schooled on domestic violence, assault with intent to commit grievous bodily harm and substance abuse.
Community members were addressed by the South African Police Services, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of South Africa, religious groups and departments of Justice, Education, Social Development and Correctional Services.
They were taught how abuse affects people who go to or belong to their different structures, procedure that these organisations can take to assist in abuse cases of abuse and what help is available for the community.
Public protector Ralph Twala from the NPA, shared information on what a protection order is, reason it can be issued and why they step in to ensure the perpetrators do not get bail if arrested.
“We represent the interests of the complainants and when an application is brought forward to us, it is our job to act on the matter and to ensure the complainant remains safe, before it is too late.
“It is also our job to ensure that the accused complies with the order once they have been served with these papers.
“The most important thing our people should remember, is that if someone promises to assault you and you believe it because that person has instilling fear in you, that in its own is already assault,” he said.
Other speakers also shared information which was beneficial to the locals, on how they can take a stand in this battle.
Law enforcement officers then took to the stage to sign a pledge to protect, care for and serve the community; they lit a candle and prayed for an end to domestic violence, while also remembering all those who had died due to these violent acts.
Ekurhuleni East Cluster Major General Girly Mbele said everyone is affected by abuse and it was worrying that, from April, in KwaThema alone, 329 cases of domestic violence had been reported.
She added what was sad, was with the people who opened these cases, when things were back to normal at home, some of them had gone back to the station to withdrew the cases, but things.
“Sometimes the problem is when you withdrew a case, things end up worse at a later stage and you may end up getting killed.
“We encourage residents who are being abused to seek help,” as she referred to last month’s incident where an elderly woman end up being killed by her own grandson.
“If, as families, you keep quiet this spreads down to the children and destroys the entire family, because children see something being done in front of them, they think it is normal and that it is what is suppose to happen.
“Families should stand up and help us in fighting and addressing these issues,” she encouraged.
