Members of the Pretoria Central SAPS, SANDF, Department of Justice, and Unisa recently held an awareness event for the 16 Days of Activism campaign at the Thaba Tshwane South African Military Health Training Formation quarters.

The event was held under the theme ‘Unite to end digital violence against all’.

Digital violence refers to digital abuse or technology-facilitated violence, through the use of digital technologies and media to harass, control, harm, or intimidate someone, and can lead to real-life consequences.

Topics discussed during the session included the impact of gender-based violence (GBV) against women, children, and vulnerable groups, HIV/Aids, victim empowerment, the legal framework surrounding crimes of this nature, and the station’s GBV stats, among others.

Guest speaker, Dr SH Mboweni from Unisa, highlighted the importance of acknowledging the day’s events, noting that soldiers and attendees must be combat-ready, not only through physical preparedness and equipment but also through knowledge and awareness of HIV/Aids.

“I want to encourage you to know your status and follow necessary precautions to protect yourself. The South African pharmaceutical industry also needs to continue advancing the availability of HIV and Aids treatment and related medication,” Dr Mboweni said.

Spokesperson for Pretoria Central SAPS, Constable Thabang Nkhumise, educated the attendees about GBV, the role of SAPS in the Criminal Procedure Act, victim empowerment, the current state of GBV locally and internationally and the impacts of GBV.
Nkhumise also presented GBV statistics for the station and contributors.

In the most recent batch of quarterly crime statistics released by SAPS, detailing crimes reported from April – June and from July – September, the Pretoria Central police station recorded a decrease in contact crimes.

No contact sexual offences were reported this quarter, compared to the two reported last quarter. One attempted sexual offence was reported this quarter, compared to none reported in the previous three.

Fifteen rape cases were reported to the station, compared to 14 in the previous quarter, and 4 sexual assault cases were reported in this quarter and the previous quarter.

The station commander, Brigadier Hlengani Gibin Mashaba, thanked the SANDF and the community of Thaba Tshwane for standing against any form of abuse, also creating conversations on how best we can minimise GBV.

The community is urged to report any wrongdoing and incidents of abuse by contacting the following by contacting your local police station or the SAPS Emergency Line (08600 10111). The Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit Head Office can be called on 012 393 2184.

Other services available are the Rape Crisis 24 Hour Helpline on 021 447 2184, the Women Abuse Helpline on 0800 150 150, and Childline on 0800 055 555.

The Aids Helpline can be called on 0800 012 322, and the unit dealing with visible policing surrounding GBV and Victim Empowerment can be reached on 012 421 8000.

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