Sebenza SAPS highlights GBV as Women’s Month comes to an end

"Those who are faced with GBV, regardless of them being male or female, must speak out," said Tsotsotso.

September 3, 2021

Stephan Lehman 1 minute read

Chairperson of the Sebenza CPF and the Community Police Board of Ekurhuleni North Cluster Andrew Mosesi addressing the parade before the start of the operation.

As National Women’s Month came to an end, Sebenza SAPS conducted an operation to create awareness about gender-based violence in the community.

Joined by patrollers from Thembisa and security personnel, the joint operation formed part of Operation Basadi.

Held on August 31, it saw law enforcement conduct a roadblock on the P91 Modderfontein Road, with officers interacting with community members at the Flamingo Shopping Centre.

Sebenza SAPS conducted an operation to create awareness about gender-based violence in the community. Held on August 31, it saw law enforcement conduct a roadblock on the P91 Modderfontein Road.

During the operation, pamphlets regarding domestic violence and gender-based violence (GBV) were distributed to motorists and the community.

Sebenza Police Station communications officer Sgt Sharon Tsotsotso said the community needs to break the silence around GBV.

“Those who are faced with GBV, regardless of them being male or female, must speak out,” said Tsotsotso.
She said since the start of lockdown the station had five reports of GBV.

Sebenza SAPS sector one manager and domestic violence coordinator Sgt Barbara Tshunungwa and Const Mpho Manngo are ready for the start of the operation.

Tsotsotso explained the five incidents involved homeless women.

“Three of the women were being verbally abused and intimidated, while two of them were being physically abused,” said Tsotsotso.

She said through the assistance offered by the SAPS, the two women who were being physically abused were able to relocate to women’s shelters.

Sebenza SAPS conducted an operation to create awareness about gender-based violence in the community. Seen here are members of Sebenza SAPS, patrollers from Thembisa and security personnel on parade before the joint operation that formed part of Operation Basadi.

Tsotsotso said the three women who were being verbally abused were offered assistance; however, they could not be relocated to shelters because they were using narcotics.

She explained the SAPS’s biggest challenge when trying to assist victims of GBV, who are homeless, is that they use narcotics.

Tsotsotso urged those who may find themselves victims of GBV and who may also use narcotics to stop so the SAPS can try to assist them.

Tsotsotso thanked Tactical Reaction K9 Warriors and OneTrack security companies for their assistance with the operation.

She also thanked Bradian Risk Security Solutions for printing T-shirts and hats which were donated to the patrollers, Clr Simon Lapping for donating chocolates that were shared with the community and the Taiwanese CPF Friends of Police Gauteng for their donations.