The Randburg SAPS social crime prevention spearheaded by Sergeant Dipuo Maphanga, paid a visit to the elderly and spoke to them about security issues and how they are affected by them.
Maphanga visited the Randburg Trefoil Guild of South Africa in Ferndale on 16 August, where elderly folk meet once a month.
“It is part of my mandate to tackle saftey issues with the elderly as they are a vulnerable group in our society,” she said. She pointed out that the elderly often feel sidelined and are not respected as much as they should be. “Often, they feel belittled and neglected and that’s why we must take care of them as they still have a lot they can teach us,” Maphanga added.
She encouraged children to take care of their grandmothers and grandfathers as they needed all the love they could get. “We are here and we should take care of our grannies and grandpas and show them as much love as we can,” she concluded.
Maphanga discussed the following safety issues with the elderly:
- How to carry their handbags in shopping malls;
- How to prevent smash-and-grabs;
- To lock cars manually and test door handles to prevent criminals from stealing their cars;
- Not to allow strangers into their respective homes;
- If criminals attack them, they must not fight back.
Diana Makin from the Randburg Trefoil Guild of South Africa said the visit from the Randburg police was very interseting and helpful. “The police have made us aware of how we should go about our daily lives,” she said. She added that they felt much safer now that they know what measures to take in order to increase their safety.
Details: Randburg Trauma Centre, 083 458 5887
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