“Members of the Vosman Community Policing Forum (CPF) urged community members to stand up and volunteer themselves to serve in their area,” said Ms Anna Manana.

She was addressing community members during a GBV awareness campaign held at Empumelelweni on Wednesday, December 6.

Manana added that children and women are at risk of being abused as cases are reported at the station.

She pointed out that volunteers are needed, especially young people, to serve in their community. She further encouraged women to stand up and report cases of abuse.

Another member of the CPF, Ms Florinah Mokwena also added her voice in her message of support to say that some women are making the work of the police more difficult by cancelling reported cases.

“Abuse whether in any form affects children, it starts with one insulting a partner, then it will be a slap in the face and what follows will be an assault. What are we teaching our children if we fight in front of them? They will grow to be abusive as well, and the cycle of abuse goes on and on. Girls stop “vat and sat” relationships, it usually ends badly. Be open to your children and tell them the truth about their fathers,” noted Mokwena.

Mr Jubizwe Mabuza of Men on Track, is an organisation that equips men to be loving husbands, proud fathers, and responsible and productive young men in their communities.

He urged the community members to say no to drugs and alcohol.

He explained about the different types of drugs and their effects.

Mabuza also cautioned about prescribed drugs, which some people misuse.

He urged men to be sensible and have self-control and to behave wisely.

Sponsor of the event Ms Tebogo Mashupye, managing director of Amestra Holdings, said as a company they were very proud to be part of the event.

She said even though her company was a small one, they were making a difference in the lives of about 29 employees in the company.

She added that they feel blessed by the Lord in that they were able to donate some food parcels to some families. Furthermore, she said in everything that they do, they put God first.

“I would like people to have role models; mine is my mother because I can relate to her. One needs to be a hero of their own story. Every parent wants to see their children succeed because that brings joy. A lot of young people are unemployed, so let’s focus on changing our situation. As parents, we need to encourage our children to focus on education, find solutions to our problems, and find opportunities to change our lives. Fathers, please support your children, and be present in your children’s lives,” said Mashupye.

Mashupye further thanked the organisers of the event for caring for other people and putting other people first before them.

Brigadier Lindani Ndlovu, Vosman Police Station commander, raised his concern about the many cases of abuse reported at the station. He stressed the importance of family values.

He said family values define who you are.

Ndlovu reminded the women about the power that they have and that they must use that power positively to bring change in their families for the better.

“We need to stand together and stop all forms of abuse; it starts with me. Fathers must be present in their son’s lives. We need to be role models to our sons as fathers. We have noticed a rise in physical, sexual, emotional, and financial abuse cases. Furthermore, we need to teach each other and know the effects and the consequences of these abuses. Know your rights when opening cases of abuse or making a protection order. As a victim you have a right to open a case of abuse and do a protection order at the same time or do one, it’s your right,” said Ndlovu.

Ndlovu went on to report that there was a serial rapist on the loose raping young girls and as police, they were following any leads to arrest the suspect.

He stated that the rapist was very clever, but in the end, they will eventually catch him. He cautioned the parents to look after their children.

Some members of the community were presented with food parcels sponsored by Amestra Holdings.

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