HIGHVELD – Homes are supposed to be a place of safety during the Covid-19 lockdown, but for many women in abusive relationships, being trapped with their abusers, it is possibly the worst place to be at this moment.
During his visit to eMbalenhle on Tuesday, 7 April, Police Minister Bheki Cele stated that since the beginning of the lockdown, general crime has decreased. He is, however, concerned about the alarming number of cases of gender-based violence that have been registered at the national gender-based violence command centre.
He said the centre received three times the number of calls from women who are trapped with their abusive partners during the national lockdown.
Mr Cele said the police received more than 2,300 GBV calls in just the first week of the national lockdown.
Also read: Covid-19: Victims of domestic violence help lines
He called on the police to have zero tolerant towards the suspects of domestic violence and gender-based violence.
“Deal harshly with them, but within the prescribed law.
“We cannot allow anyone to take advantage of our women and children.
“If you receive a complaint of domestic violence or gender-based violence, drop everything you doing and attend to it.
“When you get there, do not be nice to the suspects.”
Mr Cele said this resulted in 148 suspects being charged.
Local police said they have noticed an unusual decrease in reporting of domestic violence and gender-based violence cases in the area.
Const Busi Mthethwa, police spokesman in eMbalenhe, said it is possible that the violence is continuing, but the victims think it is not safe to seek help.
“We are calling on them to have confidence in the police. We have a special unit which focuses on the matter, the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit FCS).
“We urge all the victims not to suffer in silence, but to break the silence.”
She further called on the community who witness such crimes to report it to the police.
Ms Tracy Seimela, activist, said the reports are worrisome. She called on everyone to support victims.
“I think a WhatsApp group-platform should have been created by now where women can report issues of GBV.
Locals interacted with Mr Cele and urged him to also pay close attention to local scrap yards.
They alleged that in Extension 22, drug addicts now target gates to sell them to the scrap yards.
They called on the Minister of Police to instruct local cops to monitor the scrap yards and to ensure that these businesses are closed, because they are not considered as essential services.
The homeless people who have been kept at the Kinross Lapa are allegedly also now vandalising the building and selling the items, such blankets, that were donated to them.
Some of these vagrants told Ridge Times that, though they appreciate the initiative of the government to protect them from the coronavirus pandemic, they are struggling with withdrawal symptoms, because most of them are on drugs.
Local police said at this stage no case of vandalism at the shelter has yet been reported.
Mr Cele, who was in the area on Tuesday to observe operations to restrict the spread of the coronavirus, said the community has a tendency of not listening and not obeying the law.
Also read:
“Look at them! They are moving around as if nothing is happening. As we speak, 1295 people have been arrested for contravention of the Disaster Management Act of 2020.
“I hear them crying and complaining that police and soldiers are brutal, but not listening to us is brutality.”
He further vowed that the ban on alcohol during the lockdown will not be relaxed.
“I just hope that one day there will be no liquor. I don’t run the country, but what has happened when you look at the crime stats? For the fact that shebeens are closed, people are sleeping.
“Drink, drink a lot … of water.
“Those who are not obeying the regulations and not staying home – “push them home”. And if that fails, arrest them.”
More photos here: [GALLERY] Minister of Police speaks about obeying lockdown rules
Also watch: #Day5 of #SouthAfricaLockdown: In eMbalenhle it’s business as usual
eMBALENHLE – It’s business as usual for some residents in eMbalenhle. Children are playing in the streets, some on the soccer field.
Adults are moving around the streets. #RidgeTimesLocals
Also read: How are you coping with the lockdown? HSRC wants to know
Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news
Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).
