SAPS male officers urged to not turn away GBV victims

Police Minister, General Bheki Cele and the South African Police Service (SAPS) launched a new initiative called the #SAPS Men Mobilisation Awareness Campaign on Monday, 14 October 2019 in Pretoria.

The campaign was hosted through the SAPS’ ‘Men for Change’ structure. The structure is within the SAPS and was formed in 2004 to address matters of gender-based violence (GBV) and other challenges faced by men in policing.

The campaign’s focus was to fight against GBV and it attracted 1500 male police officers. Police trainees who are yet to graduate from Tshwane SAPS Training Academy also attended the campaign.

The purpose of the SAPS awareness campaign

The event was described thus:

“The awareness campaign led by the men in blue seeks to raise awareness on the scourge of violence with a view of mobilising society to play an active role in assisting the work of the Police in detecting, preventing and fighting Gender-Based Violence within communities.”

South African Police Service

Cele, Deputy Minister of Police Cassel Mathale, Acting National Commissioner of the SAPS Lieutenant General Bonang Mgwenya, and other male senior management from the Department of Police led the campaign. 

Cele visits PTA station to conduct compliance

Attendees marched from Church Square to the Sunnyside Police Station. At the police station, Cele conducted a compliance visit to see how victims of GBV were being treated at police stations.

He also used the platform to remind officers on how to handle GBV victims when reporting a case at a police station. The minister also warned officers who are found to be turning away GBV victims who come to report cases.

SAPS minister urges officers to make stations safe spaces

Cele said:

“Police stations must be a safe space for victims of gender-based violence, many women who report to you are already traumatised, don’t further traumatise them by asking them silly questions about what they were wearing before they were violated. This secondary victimization must come to an end.”

General Bheki Cele, Police Minister

He insisted that officers shouldn’t turn victims away under any circumstances. The minister urged officers to do “your job” by investigating, making arrests, and ensuring “victims are safe from the perpetrators.” 

Commissioner wants SAPS to work with society

From the Sunnyside Police Station, attendees proceeded to Jubilee Park. There civil society groups were given the opportunity to voice their concerns and to advise the SAPS on how to improve its services.

Mgwenya also emphasized the need for improved police-community relations. He said:

“With Community Policing being a fundamental pillar towards effective policing, as the SAPS we cannot overemphasize community involvement in assisting the work of our police in overcoming this scourge.”

Lieutenant General Bonang Mgwenya, Acting National Commissioner of the SAPS

The commissioner added:

“We therefore call on all citizens, other government departments and law enforcement agencies, civil society and community members to rise against these abhorrent acts by supporting the work of the police in detecting, preventing and reporting such incidents timeously.”

Lieutenant General Bonang Mgwenya, Acting National Commissioner of the SAPS

He said working together would ensure that the SAPS realized the National Development Plan’s 2030 Vision. One of the missions for the plan was to see women being able to walk freely in the streets and for children to be able “play safely outside.”