Prosecutors begins campaign against GBV

Prosecutors at the Mamelodi magistrate’s court encouraged gender-based violence victims to speak out, in order for their offenders to be brought to justice.

This comes after they have embarked on a campaign to significantly reduce gender-based violence (GBV).

This was necessitated by the high levels of GBV crimes being committed daily in Mamelodi.

The campaign forms part of an initiative headed by Advocate Anne-Marie Bendeman, the senior public prosecutor at the Mamelodi court assisted by Solani Baloyi, a resident prosecutor at the court, as well as all the other prosecutors at the court.

During September 2020 the top 30 GBV hotspot communities were announced by the police minister Bheki Cele. Mamelodi East was identified as one of the hotspots taking the third top spot.

Bendeman said about 40% of the criminal court cases on the court rolls at the Mamelodi court, are GBV-related.

“It is of great importance that the members of the community, especially the women and children, be educated as to the means available and where to seek assistance,” said Bendeman.

In more serious cases, perpetrators face jail time.

“In less serious cases, the offenders can be referred to Nicro (a national non-profit organization) to attend, for instance, an intimate partner anger management programme,” said Bendeman.

“GBV is often not reported, due to the offender being the main breadwinner in the household. This should not deter victims from seeking assistance and reporting violence.”

She added offenders need to be educated on the dangers inherent to violence and be equipped with proper life skills. She further said jail time is often not suitable in many of these cases.

GBV includes domestic violence (physical/emotional/verbal/psychological/economical/sexual abuse and harassment), violence against LGBTI people, sexual violence and femicide.

Bendeman advised the victims to go to the nearest police station and open a case docket if a crime has been committed against them.

“After reporting at the police station, proceed to the Mamelodi magistrate’s court and obtain a protection order.

The following initiatives were identified in the fight against GBV:

– Women empowerment education: distribution of pamphlets, workshops.

– Strengthen social support: social workers and councillors.

– Monitoring of taverns/shebeens, with the help of Sanca.

– Talk shows on the local MAMS FM radio station.

– Diversion programmes for offenders (intimate partner anger management programme, life skills programme, Famsa (Families of SA) for victims who want to withdraw cases and where the matters are not too serious for formal diversion to be done.

Prosecutors handed out hundreds of pamphlets giving tips to the public about GBV at family courts and shopping malls.

Bendeman and all prosecutors at the Mamelodi court can be approached for assistance by any and all victims of GBV offences.

A gender-based violence command centre has also been established by the government and their emergency line number is 0800-428-428.

A ‘please call me facility’ can be accessed by dialling *120*7867#.

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