JMPD officers march through Johannesburg to celebrate women in law enforcement

A route from Witkoppen Park to the Indaba Hotel marks a milestone event for female officers while addressing workplace misconceptions.

2 hours ago

Ditiro Masuku 1 minute read

JMPD women proudly take to the streets during the Women’s Month awareness walk, marching along Winnie Mandela Drive to celebrate women’s rights. Photo: Ditiro Masuku

Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers took to the streets on August 28 in a two-kilometre Women’s Walk, using their steps to challenge stereotypes about women in law enforcement and celebrate their achievements.

The walk, which started at Witkoppen Park and ended at the Indaba Hotel, forms part of the department’s Women’s Month activities and marks 25 years of the JMPD’s existence.

Challenging qualification misconceptions

JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla said the event celebrated women’s contribution to society while challenging the misconception that police officers are only required to have a matric certificate and a driver’s licence.

“There is that misconception that we just have a matric and driving licence, but we’re not,” said Fihla. “We’ve got highly educated individuals within the law enforcement fraternity, not only in JMPD.”

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WATCH:Women officers from the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) are making their voices heard as they march from Witkoppen Park to Indaba Hotel in a powerful two-kilometre Women’s Month awareness walk hosted by the metro police department. Dressed in their uniforms, with some proudly wearing graduation caps and sashes, the officers are sending a clear message that being a police officer does not mean they are uneducated. Video: Ditiro Masuku #Fourways #JMPD #Womensmonth #Indabahotel
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He said the walk was also intended to highlight women’s rights and the challenges women continue to face in Johannesburg.

Honouring struggle legacy

The choice of Winnie Mandela Drive was deliberate, with Fihla saying the road’s namesake represented the liberation struggle and the fight for women’s rights.

Also read: Motorbike accidents rise on Fourways roads, says JMPD

“We know that Mama Winnie has been a stalwart when it comes to the liberation struggle of the country and also the liberation of women within our country as well,” Fihla said.

According to Fihla, the walk is a new initiative for the department, which has previously focused its Women’s Month activities largely on educational programmes and law enforcement roadblocks.

He credited the Director of Operations for the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, Angie Mokasi, for initiating the walk and bringing women within the JMPD together for the event. Asked about the woman who inspires him most, Fihla named his mother first, followed by his wife and women serving in leadership and other roles within the JMPD.

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