Veteran officers urged to guide new police recruits

Older police officers have been urged to take the newly-graduated constables under their wing and advise them about taking care of themselves in the workplace, Rekord North reports.

Senior provincial officer and champion of the abuse awareness campaign Major-General Portia Mateisi was speaking at an event to mark 16 days of activism for no violence against women and children in Soshanguve.

The event was co-hosted by the police and Thola Ulwazi home-based centre. The event also marked World Aids Day.

Mateisi said it was important for older officers to take the new ones under their wing and show them the ropes.

“Colleagues, preach to the to new constables. They are rough and reckless. Advise them how to take care of themselves as it is our responsibility to take guide them. Tell them at SAPS you work [your] way up not through sleeping around. You can also request a slot during station lectures to speak to these young officers, especially women.

“To avoid falling victim of ‘predators’ who prey on young and naive women fresh from the college, let us play our part as senior officers.”

Mateisi encouraged people to start speaking robustly about the HIV/Aids pandemic.

“We need to make sure that we maintain good health. Risky behaviour is a no-no. You must encourage each other as friends. We need to be robust and avoid pushing and brushing issues of HIV/Aids aside. If we polish these issues people won’t learn,” said Mateisi.

Mateisi was accompanied by the acting district commissioner of Tshwane Major-General Hilder Mohajane who brought along cleaning material for the centre and blood pressure measuring equipment.

Thola Ulwazi centre offers help to more than 8 000 HIV/Aids patients who are taken care of by 168 volunteers who visit them at home, offering medication, bathing, feeding, laundry and cleaning their houses.

Men for Change and Women’s Network also visited Thola Ulwazi centre to offer their services and comfort the affected.

Xolile Manana a 26-year-old HIV/Aids activist shared her experience in the township about stigma and discrimination.

“I was labelled a murderer in my street and my peers could not touch me or shake my hand after I disclosed that I was infected with the virus. My life changed drastically and people turned against me.”

The people who attended the event were educated about safe sex through a stage play and music items. A candle-lighting session was held and members of the clergy prayed for those infected and affected by HIV/Aids and abuse.