The GBV Brigades held a door-to-door campaign against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in section D6, Mamelodi West on Wednesday morning.

This follows after the police saw an increase in domestic violence cases reported at the Mamelodi police station.

Dorah Xaba from GBV Brigades said the statistics of GBV cases reported from Section D6 are very high and alarming.

“We decided to conduct a GBV door-to-door campaign visiting households in Section D6 to find the root of the problems causing all these cases reported at the station,” she said.

“Most of the cases are domestic violence cases… you find family members fighting over houses and unruly children who are taking drugs.”

GBV Brigades called on the CPF, Siyabagena Patrollers, wardens, Sanco members and other stakeholders to reduce these cases.

“The main aim of the campaign is to let the community know about our different services and how we can work together as community members and the different stakeholders,” said Xaba.

She added that they handed out hundreds of pamphlets of safety tips directly to households and listened to their problems.

“Cases or complaints that need immediate interventions, we waste no time and get the family the necessary help they deserve, and if the case needs referrals, we do referrals on the spot.”

Boitumelo Masesane, chairperson of Ward 23 Sanco, said the organisation fully supports the campaign.

“We have many cases of domestic violence in Mamelodi, most of which are caused by family disputes over family houses.

We work together with Mamelodi Women Brigades to resolve these cases, especially when there is domestic violence and children who find themselves homeless after being chased away or when the houses are sold,” Masemane said.

“Our community needs to know about these services offered by Women Brigades and other stakeholders because they can help decrease these cases.”

Secretary of Mamelodi CPF, Nancy Gopyane, said that much needs to be done in Section D6.

“We are here to fix as Mamelodi stakeholders and we cannot resolve these issues without the help of community members,” said Gopyane.

Gopyane said the aim is to help the community members and encourage them to break the silence when they see their neighbours suffering.

“The police cannot do this alone, without the community.” She advised the community to visit the GBV Brigades at Mamelodi police station if they are facing any challenges of domestic violence.

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