Zamdela biker cops celebrate Child Protection Week

Captain Gift Matsheka, the Family Violence Child Protection Unit Commander in Zamdela, and six other police officials, Sergeant Mhlambi, Sergeant Ndada, Sergeant Dlamini, Sergeant Makamole, Sergeant  Lephotho, and Constable Mkwanazi visited Tsatsi Primary School yesterday as part of Child Protection Week.

The members are part of a biker club.

As part of the biking community, the collective put together contributions and managed to buy sanitary pads and food hampers for children who come from disadvantaged families. They also donated winter school uniforms and school shoes to help them through the winter season. The initiative was spearheaded by the Zamdela FCS which also formed part of the group that visited various schools with the hope of reminding them of their rights during this Child Protection Week.

Captain Matsheka spoke to children about their rights and outlined the importance of attending school despite the daily challenges that they face. The Captain addressed the issues of bullying, child abuse, and the dangers of substance abuse. The celebrity guest, Mr. Israel Matseke Zulu, addressed the children on the effects of bullying and not attending school.

From Tsatsi Primary School, the team joined the Vaal Bikers Club and visited a local crèche, also honoring an invitation as part of Child Protection Week. Parents of the little ones were asked to dress their toddlers as bikers and allow them to bring their toy bikes to school.

With the biker’s arrival, jubilation filled the entire yard and the little faces lit up. The children were even allowed to join the bikers in the street to experience riding their little plastic bikes next to the big machines. Little ones were given children’s rights pamphlets to take home, as organised by the Zamdela Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offenses Unit.

Today children saw police officials wearing biker suits and talking to them about their safety, changing the entire narrative.