Central police host GBV awareness campaign
The event addressed gender-based violence as Pretoria Central has been included among the city’s most dangerous places.
The Pretoria Central SAPS and the Department of Labour held an awareness event on May 29 aimed at discussing gender-based violence (GBV) after the release of the fourth quarter crime statistics.
Crime statistics for the fourth quarter of the 2024/25 financial year have indicated decreases in contact crimes for Pretoria Central, though the area remains a crime hotspot due to elevated incidents of serious crimes.
In Pretoria Central, GBV-related crimes such as rape decreased by two counts (21 cases reported last year down to 19), and sexual offences decreased by four counts (6 to 2).
One contact sexual offence was reported compared to none in the previous two quarters.
The Central SAPS Social Crime Prevention Unit visited department employees at their offices on Francis Baard Street to talk about GBV and issues of femicide.
The station’s spokesperson, Constable Thabang Nkhumise, accompanied by social crime prevention officer Warrant Officer Queen Mahlangu, provided the statistics and the implementation of strategies by the SAPS to assist victims when reporting such crimes.
Other speakers took to the podium to educate the employees on different kinds of abuse and other related crimes.
Attendees could raise their views and also engage in a debate.
Pamphlets with information and contact details were handed out to the attendees.
Station commander Brigadier Gibin Mashaba expressed his gratefulness to the department for engaging with employees, saying continued dialogues such as these are needed to break the social stigmas against GBV.
“We want to urge more departments within the inner city to partake in addressing social ills and a continuous effort to reach out to their employees. The only way to illuminate GBV is to instil a culture of whistleblowing by the community to protect victims and provide them with shelter and any psychological assistance,” Mashaba said.
Essential contact information:
Women Abuse helpline: 0800 150 150
Childline: 0800 055 555
SAPS Crime Stop: 08600 10111
Complaints: nodalpoint@saps.gov.za
Crime line: 32211
National human trafficking helpline: 0800 222 777
Suicide helpline: 0800 567 567
National Aids helpline: 0800 012 322.
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