| 2025/01/17 |
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Media Statement KIMBERLEY – The Frances Baard District police in conjunction with the Community Police Forum (CPF) and the Youth Crime Prevention Desk supported by the Northern Cape Gambling and Liquour Board as well as the National Prosecution Authority embarked on a GBVF awareness campaign at Tello’s tavern in Club 2000 on Friday, 17 January 2025. The activation of the programme is part of the Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner’s commitment towards the fight against gender based violence and femicide that was initiated during 2023. In outlining the purpose for the day the Frances Baard District Commissioner, Major General Charlotte Makgari cited that these ongoing awareness programmes at taverns aim at addressing challenges relating to gender based violence and femicide (GBVF) related crimes in collaboration with tavernn owners and their patrons. Stakeholders raised numerous issues ranging from alcohol abuse, responsible gambling, domestic violence, victim support, access to justice, protection orders, parental values, changing social norms and issues pertaining to vulnerable groups. The Deputy Provincial Commissioner (DPC) for Corporate Services, Major General Thabo Mphuthi, accompanied by the Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Crime Detection, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga, commenced by saying, taverns are intended to be establishments for responsible socialising, but has noted with concern that they are steadily becoming hotspots for violent contact crimes. The police and the community must take collective responsibility to ensure that taverns are safe areas to socialise. We need to adopt a multi-disciplinary approach across all societal sectors in ensuring that our girls, and women and vulnerable groups are protected from GBVF. She added that, communities must stop the culturisation of violence, starting at our homes by treating the boy and the girl child equally and collectively provide care and support to survivors of GBVF. Perpetrators of GBVF should be held accountable through a strengthened Criminal Justice System, including tavern owners taking precautions to stop GBVF crimes at their establishments. She concluded by pleading all to work towards raising societies that are free of GBVF through educating communities, challenging and correcting stereotype views, and create a culture of respect.
The community committed to working together with the police, by joining the established CPF structures at their sectors and report any criminality to the police.
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