Alarm systems used to fight the scourge of GBV in Thembisa
“We are happy to have been included in the fight against GBV. This programme will help us catch the perpetrators and ensure everyone gets justice."
Thembisa ranks third in Gauteng on the SAPS statistics for the number of reported GBV cases.
To combat this, Mangena Community Development partnered with Memeza to distribute personal alarms to communities, aiming to fight the spread of GBV.
The parties involved installed seven alarms on April 4 that a person can use to alert the police about reported GBV incidents in Thembisa.
The entities also hope the alarms become a tool to help fight crime in the area.
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The goal is to install 80 personal alarms that the police and Memeza will monitor as they fight GBV across Thembisa.
Several community groups, including the Thembisa police, the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR), the EMPD, the GBV Brigade and residents, were involved in launching the initiative.
Bishop Mike Mtshali from Mangena Community Development said GBV’s spread had compromised women’s safety in the community.
“We want to find ways to fight GBV because it continues to grow in our community. We have decided to take a stand against the scourge and fight it in favour of women compromised because of GBV.
“We installed personal alarms to help communities work with the police at all times,” he said.
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Mtshali said he believes the alarms would play a significant role in the community.
Captain Michael Mokoena from the Tembisa Police Station said the community should never take matters into their own hands.
“We are happy to have been included in the fight against GBV. This programme will help us catch the perpetrators and ensure everyone gets justice.
“We pledge to work with the community. Residents must not take matters into their own hands. Mob justice can result in jail time.
“We ask the community to work with us as our priority is to help fight the crime rapidly growing in our community,” he said.
Community member Lindikhaya Sityataa said the community needs to offer better education on GBV.
“I do not condone what our brothers are doing to our women. We are duty-bound to care for them, yet we abuse them, which is wrong.
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“We also need to acknowledge that men are also victims of the violence. We have brothers uncomfortable in their own homes because of GBV,” she said.
