POLOKWANE – Freedom from the threat of harassment, battering and sexual assault is a concept most of us have a hard time imagining because violence is such a deep part of daily lives.
Two women, who wish to remain anonymous spoke out about their dreadful experience of harassment and abuse and the struggle to obtain a restraining order or court interdict against their harassers.
“I went to the police station in order to open a case against my ex-boyfriend who constantly abused me and my two children and who continued to harass and intimidate us on a daily basis. They directed me to the Magistrate’s Office and told me I had to obtain a Family Violence Interdict. On arrival at the Magistrate’s Office, however, I was told the person I needed to speak to was already on leave and they were thus unable to help me and that I should return in January.”
She explained this makes her feel vulnerable, stressed and anxious about what is going to happen during the festive season if and when her harasser pitches up because she has no protection against him, and he knows this.
Another woman told Review she has also made countless attempts to obtain a Family Violence Interdict against her ex and has also been sent from pillar to post with no results. “He is making my life miserable and I have no protection against his antics. He has been physically violent with me and my two-month-old baby and has caused me thousands of Rand in car repairs because he would just ram into my car without consideration that my son was in the car with me and we could be seriously hurt.”
In light of the recently launched 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, Review spoke to local attorney, Johan Moolman, regarding the steps one needs to take in order to be granted a Family Violence Interdict.
“The Clerk of the Court needs to be approached at the Magistrate’s Court where a short affidavit is given, and then a temporary Family Violence Interdict will be issued. Certain specific rules will be indicated on the interdict depending on how one is being harassed or abused and these rules must be followed, if not the abuser will immediately be arrested. The interdict would then be served, and if opposed a date will be issued granting the alleged abuser an opportunity to state their case in court. The Protection from Harassment Act of 2012 includes explicit descriptions of harassment and behaviors that is deemed to be unacceptable. The descriptions made room for harassment on various levels including social, sexual and emotional. My advice to anyone having to endure abuse is to get an interdict sooner than later because I have personally witnessed some of these situations that made a turn for the worst,” he advised.
