MEC Mazibuko visits Soshanguve for 16 days campaign

Gauteng MEC for community safety Faith Mazibuko visited the Rietgat police station and later had a walkabout at Soshanguve plaza on Saturday.

The visit formed part of activities to promote the 16 days of activism for no violence against women and children campaign, which began on 25 November.

Rietgat police spokesperson Captain Stephen Maluleka said Mazibuko was accompanied by the entourage from her office, Rietgat police station commander Brigadier Molatelo Maphoto and his team, the CPF and the Youth Brigade.

Maluleka said during the campaign, Mazibuko interacted with the community and also encouraged the station to improve on other problematic crimes plaguing the precinct.

“During the walk-about at the Soshanguve plaza, MEC Mazibuko encouraged taxi drivers and male shoppers alike to protect women and children, not only during the 16 days of activism but in the 365 days of the year.”

Maluleka said one female shopper broke down and cried when the MEC spoke to her about gender-based violence and femicide.

He said the woman was swiftly attended to by social workers who formed part of the MEC’s entourage.

“Over 3 000 pamphlets were distributed during the walk-about and some were given to taxi operators to hand them to their passengers.”

Maphoto said he was delighted to have been allowed to work with the MEC during the campaign.

“I am very excited that the MEC came to our precinct in a bid to help us fight the scourge of crime while interacting with the residents. It shows that we have the support from above and we will definitely beat this elephant in the room called crime, especially GBV.”

CPF chairperson Molefe Tau also echoed the same sentiments that the support from the MEC was overwhelming and even his team and the brigades were impressed with the hands-on approach by the MEC.

“The MEC’s visit to our area is a sign that she takes our efforts seriously and encourages us to double our efforts in serving the community,” Tau said.

Mazibuko advised the station and the CPF to continue discouraging sexual assaults by talking to men particularly at taverns and clubs where most of these sexual assaults emanated.

She urged owners of entertainment places to discourage GBV by constantly talking to their patrons.

“We will also bring in high-profiled men to come and speak to these men who are perpetrating these abuse on women and children.”

Points to be noted to fight GBV and femicide:

– Challenge cultures and practices that perpetuate gender inequalities and consequent abuse of women and children at personal and societal levels.

– Seek personal help to change harmful behaviours such as alcohol and substance abuse.

– Teach children values of gender equality.

– Protect children from exposure to violence and harmful content on the internet and social media, including pornography and sexual solicitation.

– Develop policies that prevent and deal with gender-based violence in your sector, workplace and communities.

– Reject and report abusers

– Act immediately and don’t look away!

– Do not protect abusers

– Do not engage in abusive activities and become an abuser. Stop abuse.

– Challenge and denounce behaviour that perpetuates women abuse at the workplace.

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