Father takes his own life after murdering wife and young son
Meanwhile, Police Minister General Bheki Cele visited the Thohyandou policing area to address the rise in gender-based violence acts in the area.
LIMPOPO – The Limpopo MEC for Social Development, Nkakareng Rakgoale, is aggrieved following a recent gender-based violence (GBV) incident in Vuwani that left a family of three dead.
According to a statement issued by departmental spokesperson Witness Tiva, it is alleged a 34-year-old father from Davhana village had used a sharp instrument to kill his wife (32) and his son (nine months). He thereafter buried their bodies in a shallow grave and later hanged himself.
Rakgoale has since made an appeal to couples and families, who face challenges in their relationships, not to resort to violence, but to instead seek professional help from social workers.
“It is so sad to see a man taking the lives of his family in this manner. We reiterate our call for people who face difficulties in their families to speak out and approach social workers who will then provide psychosocial support and put them through our family preservation programme.”
The department has deployed social workers to the area to provide support to the affected parties.
Prioritisation of gender-based violence (GBV) crimes
Meanwhile, Police Minister General Bheki Cele, his deputy Cassel Mathale and SAPS national commissioner General Khehla Sitole visited Thohyandou as part of the SAPS annual Safer Festive Season Inspection Tour.
The Thohoyandou policing area recorded the second highest number of rape cases in the country during July and September 2021 and Cele called on SAPS management to prioritise GBV crimes to ensure that the perpetrators are swiftly arrested.
Speaking about the handling of GBV cases throughout the country, he said: “I know there are many officers who go beyond the call of duty every day to help GBV victims. However, it is deeply disturbing that some chose to disgrace the service and subject victims to substandard treatment at police stations and in some instances even turn people away. Yes, many of the rapes are happening in places where police cannot reach, such as private homes. But when victims open up cases and turn to you for help, you as law enforcers must assist them with utmost compassion and professionalism, no matter what. We expect this kind of service in all our police stations and those officers who fail to meet this instruction, must be reported and shown the door.”
Cele added there are dedicated GBV desks active at some of the identified top 30 GBV hot spots across the country and that the ultimate goal of the SAPS is to have one GBV desk at each police station.
Contact the national GBV shelter helpline for help
The National Shelter Movement of South Africa (NSMSA) has a 24-hour National Shelter Helpline managed by social workers to assist with all gender-based violence enquiries. The helpline will assist with placing survivors in safe havens in every province, across the county.
Where required, social workers will make the relevant referrals for further assistance with services required from external stakeholders, and they can assist with information on protection orders and for dealings with the police and more.
Contact the toll-free 24-hour National Shelter Helpline on 0800 001 005. Alternately, dial 112 on your Vodacom, Cell C or Telkom cellphone.
Ask for the National Shelter Helpline. You can also send a PleaseCallMe or WhatsApp message to any of these numbers: 082 057 8600 / 082 058 2215 / 072 230 7147. The helpline can also be reached via email: infohelpline@womenscentre.co.za.
Remember you are not alone. Be vigilant, protect yourself and stay safe this holiday season.
