Senior citizens urged to take a stand against abuse
While the country observes 16 Days of Activism, Germiston Association for the Aged (GAFA), and the Ekurhuleni West Cluster SAPS held an outreach programme to remind the elderly of crime prevention and reporting methods.
Ivy Sifolo joined many elderly people from Dukathole in exercising and developing healthy habits for the elderly, presented by Germiston Association for the Aged and Ekurhuleni West Cluster SAPS.
Whether with funny old tales or deep-rooted wisdom, senior citizens have worked hard to knit generations together.
To show appreciation for the elderly and help them develop healthy habits, Germiston Association for the Aged (GAFA) and the Ekurhuleni West Cluster SAPS called on senior citizens from Dukathole and surrounding areas to join them in their outreach programme.
Guests gathered at Dukathole Service Centre last Thursday.
Germiston Association for the Aged (Gafa), Ekurhuleni West Cluster SAPS held an outreach programme to remind the elderly of crime prevention and reporting methods.
“Our elderly seem to have taken on much responsibility that is not their own,” said Betty Gololo from GAFA.
“They are neglected and abused by their families and they do not know how to report abuse. To an extent, I don’t think many of them know what abuse is.”
Abuse is not only in the form of violence, Betty stated as she addressed her esteemed guests.
“Neglect is a form of abuse,” she said.
“Some of you are overburdened with responsibility such as raising your grandchildren or great-grandchildren because their parents have abandoned them, only to return home with more mouths to feed and no financial contributions.”
Speaking at the Dukathole Service Centre on crime reporting and basic human rights last Thursday, Betty Gololo from Germiston Association for the Aged (GAFA).
Sinethemba Booi, chairperson of the Ekurhuleni West Cluster SAPS Crime Prevention Youth Desk, shared his concern regarding the elderly’s trust in strangers with friendly faces.
“Do not trust every stranger who is kind enough to help you,” he said.
“When at an ATM or store tills, be aware of your surroundings and only seek help from official security guards if you need help.
“Remember not to share personal information with anyone.
“It is shameful but a lot of the youth are perpetrators in the eyes of the elderly because they are the ones scamming you out of your money, dumping their offspring on your doorsteps and using psychological ploys to manipulate you.”
According to Betty unreported crimes by the elderly range from rape, credit and Sassa card cams, pyramid schemes, neglect and domestic abuse.
The elderly were equipped with crime prevention and reporting methods, as well as easy exercises to keep them active, at an outreach programme hosted by the Germiston Association for the Aged and the Ekurhuleni West Cluster SAPS last Thursday at Dukathole Service Centre.
“We need to remind senior citizens of their basic human rights, how to stand up against abuse and how to report crime,” said Betty.
“We forget that they too are abused daily and many even by their own family members.
“They are afraid of saying no, afraid of reporting their felonious children or grandchildren all out of the fear of being ostracised by their families and communities or other reasons unknown to us.”
Following the information session, the elderly took formation outside for an exercise session led by Sgt Olga Masethla, community liaison officer of the Ekurhuleni West Cluster SAPS.
Olga urged the senior citizens to get into the habit of exercising and stretching as it would help improve their flexibility and reduce various muscle aches.
Pastor Franklin Ohanyerenwa gave a brief sermon on neglect and honouring the elderly.
Veronica Ndhlebe (front) happily convened with her peers at the Dukathole Service Centre for an afternoon of bliss, exercise and info session on how to report abuse.
Speaking at the Dukathole Service Centre on crime reporting and basic human rights last Thursday, Betty Gololo from Germiston Association for the Aged (GAFA).
The elderly were equipped with crime prevention and reporting methods, as well as easy exercises to keep them active, at an outreach programme hosted by the Germiston Association for the Aged and the Ekurhuleni West Cluster SAPS last Thursday at Dukathole Service Centre.
Germiston Association for the Aged (Gafa), Ekurhuleni West Cluster SAPS held an outreach programme to remind the elderly of crime prevention and reporting methods.
Germiston Association for the Aged (Gafa), Ekurhuleni West Cluster SAPS held an outreach programme to remind the elderly of crime prevention and reporting methods.
Germiston Association for the Aged (Gafa), Ekurhuleni West Cluster SAPS held an outreach programme to remind the elderly of crime prevention and reporting methods.
Germiston Association for the Aged (Gafa), Ekurhuleni West Cluster SAPS held an outreach programme to remind the elderly of crime prevention and reporting methods.
Germiston Association for the Aged (Gafa), Ekurhuleni West Cluster SAPS held an outreach programme to remind the elderly of crime prevention and reporting methods.
Germiston Association for the Aged (Gafa), Ekurhuleni West Cluster SAPS held an outreach programme to remind the elderly of crime prevention and reporting methods.
Germiston Association for the Aged (Gafa), Ekurhuleni West Cluster SAPS held an outreach programme to remind the elderly of crime prevention and reporting methods.
Germiston Association for the Aged (Gafa), Ekurhuleni West Cluster SAPS held an outreach programme to remind the elderly of crime prevention and reporting methods.
Germiston Association for the Aged (Gafa), Ekurhuleni West Cluster SAPS held an outreach programme to remind the elderly of crime prevention and reporting methods.
Germiston Association for the Aged (Gafa), Ekurhuleni West Cluster SAPS held an outreach programme to remind the elderly of crime prevention and reporting methods.
Germiston Association for the Aged (Gafa), Ekurhuleni West Cluster SAPS held an outreach programme to remind the elderly of crime prevention and reporting methods.
Germiston Association for the Aged (Gafa), Ekurhuleni West Cluster SAPS held an outreach programme to remind the elderly of crime prevention and reporting methods.
Germiston Association for the Aged (Gafa), Ekurhuleni West Cluster SAPS held an outreach programme to remind the elderly of crime prevention and reporting methods.
Germiston Association for the Aged (Gafa), Ekurhuleni West Cluster SAPS held an outreach programme to remind the elderly of crime prevention and reporting methods.
Germiston Association for the Aged (Gafa), Ekurhuleni West Cluster SAPS held an outreach programme to remind the elderly of crime prevention and reporting methods.
