BARBERTON – A woman was allegedly assaulted at Ext 17 by her boyfriend and she went to the Barberton Police Station on February 6 to ask for help.

She went back again on February 9. The investigating officer allegedly screamed at her and told her to look for the perpetrator herself, and to bring him to the police station.

The woman, Nomcebo Makeeda Alim Madlopha, said, “He kept asking me questions, and when I did not answer as fast or in the way he wanted me to, he would get upset. “He got angrier with me and became unwilling to take my statement.

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This sergeant has been assigned to my case, but I feel unsafe with him assisting, because on the day when I was on my weakest, he made me feel exactly the same way the perpetrator had made me feel.

“All I wanted from them was to help me feel safe again, because I fear for my life. The man who was my boyfriend when the incident occurred, is unpredictable and he gets away with so many things, because his mother works at the local prison. His family has connections and this was proven to me even more when I visited the police for assistance.

“They did not even want to hear my story without making me feel less of a person. When the officer called, I had hope that there would be direction in my case, but little did I know that he would shout at me and add to my misery. I thought the police were supposed to protect us and keep us safe, but I am shocked at how the Barberton Police Station treated me the way they did,” she said.

This woman was not the only person who raised their concerns over the services at the Barberton Police Station. Another person accused the same sergeant of not taking down her statement correctly when she went to report a matter. When the newspaper contacted the police on Friday March 11 regarding the issues raised, a provincial police spokesperson, Brig Selvy Mohlala, said, “Please note that we are not aware of the situation in which victims of GBV are illtreated in community service centres.

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“We take the allegations seriously. It is not acceptable that victims must suffer another trauma after their ordeal. I therefore request and advise that anyone who had experience such extra traumatic experience, to officially write a formal complaint to nobelat@saps.gov.za or report the abuse to the station commander. In that way, we will be able to investigate the allegations and have proper remedial steps taken.”

Mohlala did not respond to the question about why a male sergeant was given a case of GBV, or what steps would be taken now that the SAPS has been made aware of the allegations. Madlopha wrote an email on Friday March 11 to the address provided by Mohlala. However, by the time of going to press, she had not received any response from the police.

“I would like to see the SAPS taking the necessary steps on this detective so that he will not treat victims of GBV ill again. If possible, if they could remove him from my case, I would be happy, because I do not feel comfortable with him assisting me. When it comes to the perpetrator, I want him to be arrested and be locked up so that he learn something. This is because I was told he was arrested, however, I believe they released him – this means he will continue doing this to others.”

On Tuesday March 15 the Ancyl in Mbombela subregion Nelspruit B Zone said it will monitor this case until it is finalised, just like it has been doing with all the other GBV-related cases.

“We were disturbed at first that the police were dragging their feet in helping the victim. It is not be correct that there are still police officers who turn a blind eye to GBV when it is so rife in our country and province.

“We are pleased that the suspect has finally been brought to book. We will follow this case to ensure that nothing sinister happens and we will continue to offer support to the victim as we have been doing,” said Themba.