‘We have failed women in Giyani’ says station commander
Brigadier Solomon Serakwana calls for stronger police-community relations as Giyani battles gender-based violence and crime delays.
LIMPOPO – Giyani Police Station commander Brigadier Solomon Serakwana used a Women’s Month event held on Wednesday in Phalaubeni village to highlight the challenges faced by police in addressing gender-based violence (GBV) and strengthening relations with communities.
Serakwana said he felt “ashamed” as a man attending the event while reflecting on the statistics of violence against women in Giyani. He stressed that while the police have made the fight against the abuse of women and children a provincial priority, progress in Giyani has been disappointing.
Citing recent incidents, he referred to the murder of a woman during a robbery at the Usave store in Xikukwani village and the alleged killing of a woman by her boyfriend in Shawela village. He confirmed that suspects in both cases have been arrested, but expressed frustration over community conduct during the Shawela case.
According to Serakwana, while some residents cooperated by providing crucial information, others obstructed the police by blocking roads as officers rushed to apprehend the suspect. He described this as deeply disappointing, warning that such actions not only delayed justice but also endangered innocent people, including those using the road for medical emergencies.
He also raised concerns about the treatment of officers in the line of duty, saying they were frequently insulted or disrespected by the very people they serve.
“If they see a van marked ‘Giyani,’ they are quick to abuse us, and this undermines the trust we need to fight crime effectively,” he explained.
Serakwana revealed that five rape cases are currently under investigation in Giyani, describing them as equally troubling. He admitted that the police station was now classified among police stations in the country struggling to contain violent crimes against women.
Despite the challenges, he commended the people of Phalaubeni for not featuring prominently in the daily crime reports. However, he urged residents to ensure that incidents are reported and not kept silent, warning that failing to do so would be a mistake.
He ended his address, cautioning that instances of road closures will not be tolerated, as they hinder efforts to combat crime that affects everyone.
“We don’t have time to play games because crime affects us all,” he concluded.
