Women’s Month: women show they are capable of taking charge in male-dominated sectors

The women in uniform took a stand and showed the country that women are capable of taking the leading role in enforcing the law

August 20, 2020

Fanie Mthupha 3 minutes read

Women took the leading role in a law enforcement operation to show that women are capable of protecting citizens.

Women officers and officials recently conducted a special integrated operation initiative in Boksburg to celebrate Women’s Month.

The all-women team consisting of members of the EMPD, DEMS, Gauteng Community Safety, and the City’s health department conducted the morning roadblock along Main Street in Witfield on August 18.

Although the roadblock was carried out to address traffic and by-law violations, it also served as a women-empowering initiative to encourage women to take a stand and show the country that women are capable of taking the leading role in enforcing the law.

The operation also served to create awareness of crime against women and children, and to encourage officers and both members of the community to get screened and tested for Covid-19.

The all-woman police team manning a roadblock in Witfield to fight crimes. It also served as an opportunity to celebrate the progress made by the City’s initiative aimed at eliminating the ‘internal roadblocks’ faced by women in their respective departments.

During the roadblock, 204 vehicles were stopped and checked and 73 fines were issued, about 118 pedestrians were also stopped and searched, while hundreds of pamphlets were distributed.

Led by city manager Dr Imogen Mashazi, the team inspected a couple of shops in the area where they checked permits, compliance and expired items. One of these businesses was issued with a compliance notice. Health professionals from the City’s health department screened and tested members for Covid-19.

The Ekurhuleni’s city manager, Dr Imogen Mashazi, was among the team which inspected businesses in the area during the operation. Mashazi was pictured checking meat products in one of the butcheries in Witfield.

The operation was supported by Mashazi and metro chief of police Isaac Mapiyeye.
Addressing the media during the roadblock, Mashazi said she discovered that females were being sidelined in some departments because of their gender, especially in the once male-dominated EMPD and DEMS.
A women-empowering initiative called Women in Uniform in Community Safety Legacy Project was then put in place to try and correct the gender gap.

The legacy project was introduced by Mashazi in 2017 and has seen many officers gaining promotion.

The Ekurhuleni city manager has made it her mission to tackle both the internal and external roadblocks preventing women from excelling in their professions with the city.

Mashazi encouraged women in the aforementioned departments to take advantage of the learning opportunities provided by the City through bursaries to develop themselves so they are in a better position to apply and be considered for senior positions.

Annually, during Women’s Month (August), the city manager joins women officers in a roadblock as part of the Women in Uniform in Community Safety Legacy Project.

Seen closely checking one of the vehicles stopped during the roadblock are Zanele Katembo (HOD Sport, Recreation and Arts and Culture), EMPD’s Lindokuhle Masombuka, city manager Dr Imogen Mashazi and EMPD deputy director Nomawethu Mafa.

As part of the legacy project, the City of Ekurhuleni will host a virtual gala dinner to honour the best achievers among women officials in community safety on August 27.

Testimony to the success of the project
Lindokuhle Masombuka, one of the female EMPD police officer who participated in the roadblock and is stationed in the EMPD’s Boksburg precinct, said she really appreciated all the efforts being made by the city manager to change the status quo.

EMPD’s Lindokuhle Masombuka was among the women in uniform who are determined to dismantle all the obstacles and challenges serving as barriers to their career success.

“I know what’s it like being a woman in a male-dominated workforce where women were often undermined, but I can attest that things have indeed changed for the better.

“It gives us hope, and I’m happy that as women we also have equal opportunities to grow within our respective professions.

“It also makes us feel we are being recognised for our efforts. She (Mashazi) is my role model and through the programme she encouraged me to study further. I already see myself moving up the ladder in a few years’ time. Watch this space,” said Masombuka.

Women in law enforcement are making great strides
Mapiyeye admitted that previously there were challenges when it comes to gender equality in his department.

City chief of police Isaac Mapiyeye said previously there were gender-specific issues that were unanimously faced by women working in male-dominated sectors. He, however, pointed out that the City is now providing equal advancement opportunities and doing its best to root out misogyny.

“As a department and through the city manager’s leadership we have initiated a project aimed at advancing women in uniform. I’m pleased to confirm that we have promoted a lot of female officers, and we are continuously doing so.

“Yes, in the past the profession used to be dominated by males, but today nearly half of the officers are females.

“My advice to anyone seeking promotion in the EMPD is that you need to meet certain requirements. It’s not just an automatic appointment. We don’t appoint for the sake of appointing females.”

The City encourages other women to consider law enforcement as a career path.

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