Elderly residents of Tweedy Park received some love last Thursday when SAPS, CPF, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and community members visited them at the Eric Holdtman Service Centre.
SAPS and the NPA spoke to the residents about crimes commonly committed against the elderly, and steps they can take to safeguard themselves against abuse.
This was after Mariska du Plooy from Cornerstone International opened the visit with prayer and greeted each resident personally.
Sergeant Faith Ntuli spoke for SAPS and handed out pamphlets to the elderly. She informed the residents that she will see them again in November for elderly month to do some exercises with them.
Advocate Dick Hattingh spoke about gender-based violence and which forms of abuse most affect the elderly, and which steps they can take to protect themselves or prosecute abusers.
“Unfortunately, we live in a time where even the elderly experience GBV, but no one is willing to talk about it,” he said.
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“There are people that can help, even in a case of harassment I can help. The court can help. I’ve had people in my office personally and we worked out their issues then and there. There are protection orders, so you don’t have to worry about the other party going to prison, but we can still help you.”
Hattingh handed out pamphlets as well with emergency numbers for the police, the department of social development and other support lines.
Tinus Jordaan, chairperson of the Brakpan CPF, spoke to the elderly about the role of CPF, the challenges SAPS face that CPF provides support for, and urged the residents to report any crime they are aware of to contribute to community safety.
The residents received food prepared, delivered by Jessy Naicker and his family.
They also received toothpaste, and the Eric Holdtman Service Centre kitchens received apricot jam, rice, cans of baked beans, maize meal, sugar, salt and tea bags.
They also spoke with kitchen staff about what they need most and in which quantities for future outreach initiatives.
