Passionate about fighting domestic violence

Born in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape, and after finishing school, Sgt Barbara Tshunungwa joined Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK).

Tshunungwa, a mother and a wife started her career at MK and she was then integrated into the SANDF in 1994 where she worked until 1997.

“After SANDF, I joined the South African Police Services (SAPS) in 2001 under the Crime Intelligence Unit in Benoni as a Crime Intelligent Gatherer. In 2005, I joined Sebenza SAPS. As a police officer I have worked under different titles, at the moment I am a domestic violence co-ordinator for the Sebenza police station as well as a sector manager for Sector 1. In the domestic violence victim support unit I work on cases such as assault and sexual abuse,” said Tshunungwa.

She said she joined the police force because she is passionate about fighting crime and she loves helping people.

“I have learned a lot of things in my career because I get to wear many caps. Sometimes you find yourself working as a teacher because we handle different cases. You might be a teacher today and a nurse tomorrow and you need to be patient but I enjoy what I do,” she said.

She said there are many challenges to her job and one of the challenges is people who do not report crime and those who don’t understand the role of the police.

“Domestic violence is very serious and people who open cases only to drop them later don’t understand that domestic violence is a serious crime. Sometimes as a result of people dropping charges, so many people end up being killed and that is what you see on the news every day,” said Tshunungwa.

She urged the community to help the police in the fight against domestic violence as it is something that occurs daily.

She gave the following indicators of an abusive relationship:

• Acting excessively jealous and possessive.

• Keeping you from seeing family and friends. Humiliating or yelling at you.

• Threatening to take your child away or harm them.

• Controlling where you go, what you do, how you dress, who you go with, what you eat and drink.

• Embarrassing you in front of your friend and family.

• Criticizing harshly and putting you down.

• Having a scary and unpredictable temper.

• Threatening to kill you or commit suicide if you leave them.

Tshunungwa said people who experience domestic violence can contact her on 082 319 9438 or 011 400 6000.

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