GBV and femicide in Vhembe a cause for concern – Lim police
The Thohoyandou policing area has seen an increase in incidence of GBV with Miluwani, Tswinga, Mbilwi villages and the Makwarela township regarded as hotspots.
LIMPOPO – The rise in Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and femicide in Vhembe’s Thohoyandou policing area is cause for concern.
This is according to provincial police commissioner, Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe, who addressed police women and female employees of the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM), during a Women’s Month celebration held in the council chambers last week.
“Looking at the level of violence perpetuated against women, particularly in the Vhembe area, we realise that we still have a long way to go. Recently, this area counted among the top three areas countrywide in terms of rape and violence, particularly against women. Something more than speeches and gatherings needs to be done as a matter of urgency.”
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While acknowledging the need for greater intervention, Hadebe encouraged women to take charge of their personal lives and space: “We need to tackle these challenges head-on as women, because we are the ones who are most affected”.
She said women need to do introspection and ensure that they are physically and mentally ready to address the anomalies in society, which include some of the challenges that women face.
“As women, we need to get our house in order and our priorities straight, and not rely on others to approve or validate what we want to do for ourselves.”
Releasing the crime statistics for the first quarter of 2023/24, Sgt Tshilidzi Makulane confirmed that the Thohoyandou policing area has seen an increase in incidence of GBV. Miluwani, Tswinga, Mbilwi villages and Makwarela township are regarded as hotspots, she added.
Makulane said it was concerning that so many women report cases of violence, but later withdraw these. “This means the police will not be able to solve the problem of GBV, and we cannot assist women as we would like to.”
Vhembe Mayor, Dowelani Nenguda said he appreciated that the SAPS chose Vhembe to host their Women’s Month celebrations, and he hoped that women in the district would be inspired by the motivational speaker.
Hadebe concluded that she was excited to be part of a cohort of women who are ready and willing to change the status quo of women in society and elevate their status to a level where everyone is treated with respect and dignity, and free from oppression and abuse.
