Prison service tackles GBV
GBV and abuse affecting South Africa more than any country in the world.
The Boksburg Correctional Services held a 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children imbizo on November 30 to encourage men to stop abusing women and children.
The services’ clinical psychologist, Nkanyiso Madlala, said the imbizo is important because of the high number of GBV cases in South Africa.
“Most GBV cases are perpetrated by men. It is a wide-spreading pandemic that has to be stopped because it affects livelihoods,” said Madlala.
He believes abuse is caused by the distribution of power among partners as partners who provide for the other feel they are in control, which leads to abuse.
“Abuse comes in different forms. It can be financial, sexual, physical and sexual,” he said.
According to the Department of Correctional Services’ head of satellite Shadrack Msindwana, men must learn to confront the perpetrators of GBV and abuse.
“I’m not saying we must fight them or hurt them but we must confront them by lambasting what they are doing. We have to shape young boys to be better men and encourage them to refrain from being offenders if we are to beat this pandemic,” said Msindwana.
Mathapelo Nyembe, a Boksburg SAPS constable, said they shouldn’t discuss GBV and abuse only during the 16 Days campaign, but it should be discussed daily.
“I’m here to advise everyone to report their neighbours or anyone they see is an abuser. The police are here to help those who are abused and violated. Even if you are a man, report it if you are being abused as you are likely to be reported as an abuser if you bottle things inside,” said Nyembe.
Boksburg Correctional Services spokesperson Sello Modise said the imbizo ended with words from a convicted abuser about what drove them to commit this crime.
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