WATCH: Learners demand urgency in GBV, missing children cases
Backed by the community, Mamosa learners called on the police to respond faster to GBV and missing children cases, handing over a petition led by a brave nine-year-old voice.
Duduza – Learners from the Mamosa Educational Institute heeded the national call to stand up for the rights of women and children when they marched to the Duduza Police Station on November 21.
“The purpose was to highlight the scourge of GBV and child abuse,” said the school’s CEO, Mamsi Mashinini.
“The petition was meant to show the seriousness of these violent acts, which we feel the SAPS do not take seriously. We want them to treat these matters with the urgency they deserve to curb this behaviour.”
@african_reporter The learners of Mamosa Educational Institute marched to the Duduza Police Station to hand over a memorandum of grievances.
As the learners made their way on Nala Street, they received strong support from the community, with residents cheering them on and motorists hooting in solidarity.
At the police station, nine-year-old Christine Mapingure delivered a message on behalf of her schoolmates.
“Many children experience abuse, including rape. There are also children who go missing. We want the police to make a greater effort in investigating these cases. We want the perpetrators to receive harsher sentences,” she said.
Mapingure added that when a child goes missing, the police should act immediately, without waiting for any time to pass. She handed the memorandum to Captain Solomzi Mehlomakulu.
@african_reporter Capt Solomzi Mehlomakhulu of Duduza SAPS received the memorandum of grievances from the learners Mamosa Educational Institute on November 21
Younger children unable to sign the petition expressed their support by creating handprints, which were also submitted to the police.
Mehlomakulu commended the learners for taking a stand.
“Please, tell your peers that the police are aware of the ills in our community. Continue to report any abuse you see or experience,” he said, adding that the submission would be processed through the correct channels.
