| 2024/08/22 |
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Media Statement POLOKWANE – The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo Police, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe , MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Ms Violet Mathye and Ms Jane Mulaudzi joined the women in uniform during Outreach Programme and Operation in the law enforcement, on Wednesday, 21 August 2024. Women from various departments started with an operation along the N1 freeway and proceeded to Botlokwa Special School located at Ramatsowe in Sefene village for an outreach program. The MEC joined by councillors, the Provincial Commissioner joined by SAPS management and members, various departments, teachers and learners of Botlokwa Special School, formed part of the event. The programme driven by vibrant programme director, Warrant Officer Tintswalo Shai, was opened with prayer and scripture reading by Pastor Joseph Seabela, followed by welcome remarks by the Deputy Principal of Botlokwa Special School, Ms Sewela Masipa, who outlined the school background and its mission and vision in the community. The Head of the Department of Transport and Community Safety, Mr Stephen Matjena acknowledged the guests and rendered the purpose of the event, which was to celebrate women in uniform and their strength in the male dominated space. The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo Police, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, during her remarks, acknowledged the efforts of the people who planned the event. She said that it was of good purpose for choosing to celebrate women in uniform with the children of Botlokwa Special School. She briefly narrated a story behind the reasons that landed her into the SAPS instead of other fields or professions. On that day, a man was stabbed and lost his life in her presence, and that had grown her eager to want to arrest criminals and save lives. “It really melt our hearts to experience that these children are able to participate with high excellency in so many activities. Let alone the efforts of the educators that we have seen displayed in these children with special needs. She also highlighted to the MEC and other attendees about the successes that the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit are achieving, as we accelerate the fight against the scourge of gender based violence and sexual offence cases whs mostly perpetrated against the vulnerable group. “We are forever indebted with the sentences secured by our FCS investigators. She further requested the MEC and other stakeholders to address the issue of community members buying the stolen goods, whenever, they get to engage with the community, because it looks like it is not taken serious or there is a lack of education. When the Police find anyone in possession of stolen goods, they immediately effect an arrest, the law says.” The message of support was delivered by the Mayor of Molemole Local Municipality, Councillor Edward Paya, he plaudit the strength of women across the globe, especially the women in top management of the Limpopo province, mentioning the Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba, MEC of Transport and Community Safety, Ms Violet Mathye and The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe. He encouraged women not to undermine their capabilities but to embrace them and support each other. MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Ms Violet Mathye, in her address, she praised the teachers of the school, as she can relate with the learning environment and its challenges. We are gathered here because women took it upon themselves to show love and compassion towards the children of the Botlokwa Special School. They did this because it only takes a woman, to identify that type of a need, and also do something to attend to it. This democracy that we worked so hard to build in the past 30 years has made it possible for women to occupy positions that were traditionally occupied by men, both in the private sector and government. Despite the enormous strides that we have made, we are still faced with a lot of challenges in many other areas. This government has made tremendous progress to level the playground in a number of areas. However, women are still having difficulties in making a break-through in a number of sectors within the business industry,” highlighted the MEC, Ms Violet Mathye. The school received donation of items such as cosmetics, hairpiece, kitchen utensils, sanitary towels, top loader washing machine, blankets, heaters, and shoes, amongst others.
The audiences were entertained by the SAPS band, and the children of Botlokwa Special School performed different types of dancing activities.
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