An anti-rape device which can be used by victims who fear of getting raped is available to residents.
The device was invented by a woman named Thuli Mthethwa in 2012 after her sister was attacked. Mthethwa approached the Memeza Shout Crime Prevention Company to market the device and make it available for free.
The device works as follows:
1. Once the button is pressed, a loud siren alerts the community and the affected house will become easily visible by the flash of a red light.
2. Text messages are sent to pre-selected family members and your local police station that are recorded in the gadget.
“The plan is to distribute the alarm to various areas so should the need for it arise in Roodepoort, we can make a request for it,” said Ndivhuho Gadisi, Deputy Director at the Gauteng Community Safety Department.
According to an article on Africa Check’s web site, South Africa has one of the highest rates of rapes in the world. The article also states the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) released crime statistics in South Africa which showed 46 253 rape cases were reported to the police in 2013 and 2014.
Roodepoort Police Spokesperson Nonhlanhla Khumalo said she has not heard of these devices before.
For more information on how to obtain this device contact the Memeza Shout Crime Prevention Company on 012 844 0000 or info@memeza.co.za
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