IN response to the scourge of GBV cases in Wentworth, Deputy Minister for Public Works and Infrastructure Sihle Zikalala launched a rapid response and Gender-Based Violence facility at the Wentworth police station on August 6.

The facility will assist in the fight against GBV, ensuring victims receive prompt, co-ordinated and friendly support.

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It will also house the Department of Social Development counsellors, who will give the necessary empowerment support.

Zikalala said the launch of the GBV centre shows commitment by all stakeholders in the fight against gender-based violence.

Commending the citizen who donated the facility to the SAPS, Zikalala said the DPWI will also continue to make properties available to help fight against GBV.

To date, the department has made available over 35 properties across the country in the fight against GBV.

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According to the department, Wentworth faces high levels of violent crime, gang violence and drug-related offences, often leading to gender-based violence.

The centre will cater for women and children affected by sexual and physical violence.
Speaking at the launch at the Austerville Community Hall, Zikalala called on the public to work together to end crime.

“We must isolate criminal activities, including drugs, that are killing our children. Let us end the secondary victimisation of GBV,” Zikalala said.

He applauded the Community Police Forums for being proactive in the fight against crime.

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“As the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure we are supporting the national response through provisions of infrastructure,” he added.

KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli highlighted GBV as another priority requiring co-ordinated action alongside efforts to combat organised crime.

“We are inviting the residents of KZN to take a common position to say we act against GBV and it must come to an end. This area (Wentworth) is one of the areas that has a problem of GBV. In South Africa, KZN is leading in GBV and on average one out of three women in our country are experiencing GBV from the people that they know or people that they are intimate with. Hence the provincial government, together with NGOs, the private sector and the community at large, is preparing to fight against GBV,” he said.

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