Tsakani – On Sunday, Ekurhuleni District Zone 3 Tsakani SAPS held a Woman’s Day celebration and Gender-Based
Violence (GBV) Awareness Campaign.
Under the command of Vispol commander Lt Col Oliven Letloenyane, the campaign was held in conjunction with the CPF, Department of Community Safety, Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the Government Communication and Information System, faith-based organisations and the public relations team from the Tsakani Mall.
A formal programme saw a group of 50 people addressed by different speakers.
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Social distancing was observed at all times.
“The messages also reached passers-by doing their shopping.
“The second phase saw a ‘no violence to woman’ demonstration inside the Tsakani Mall,” explained Sgt Lerato Mngomezulu, spokesperson of Tsakani Police Station.
According to Mngomezulu, during the demonstration inside the mall, two actors portrayed a physical altercation between a man and a woman.
“Immediately when the noise caught the attention of the public they tried to rescue the woman.
“Sympathy was evident when the public wanted to help the woman who screamed.
“Then the rest of the participants showed up and displayed posters with the messages that discourage violence and others encouraging the reporting of domestic violence.”
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All participants were dressed in black and had red lipstick as a symbol of the hurt and pain caused by violence in the community.
“The objectives of the initiative was to educate the community about the ‘no violence to woman and children’ campaign and to raise awareness for victims to ask for help when they are under attack.
“The initiative got the public talking and realising the seriousness of GBV,” said Mngomezulu.
Pamphlets on ‘break the silence’, GBV and general crime tips were also distributed in the vicinity of the mall.