TEMBISA POLICE ACT QUICKLY TO TACKLE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

In a continued effort to tackle the growing issue of domestic violence in the Tembisa community, the local police force has made significant strides in ensuring the safety of women and children in the area.

On February 1, 2023, two Sergeants, Asnath Makgupya and Patricia Mgijima, arrested a 50-year-old suspect for intimidation and domestic violence. The arrest came after the victim, a visibly traumatized woman, reported that her boyfriend had threatened to shoot and kill her if she did not return clothes he had bought for her.

In response to this and a recent incident in a neighboring police station where a woman was killed by her ex-boyfriend in front of her children, Sergeant Pitsi Makgatho, the GBV Coordinator, led a door-to-door campaign in the Dali Mpofu Squatter Camp. With the help of GBV Brigades, Social Crime Prevention, and Communication, over 200 households were reached, and pamphlets were distributed to raise awareness about domestic violence.

Sergeant Makgatho also warned women to stop hiding abuse and encouraged the community to look out for each other and care for one another. She emphasized that the fear of being left without a provider should not be a reason to stay in an abusive relationship and that the perpetrator will always find a new victim if not stopped.

In a separate incident, a 13-year-old girl was removed from an abusive situation and taken to a place of safety after a concerned resident tipped off the police. The child had been left alone for almost a year after her mother’s death, and the police praised the bravery of the community in Freedom Square for showing the spirit of Ubuntu.

The Tembisa police force is working tirelessly to address the issue of domestic violence, and these recent arrests and interventions are a testament to their dedication to ensuring the safety of the community.