Minister Bheki Cele reveals South Africa's top 30 GBV hotspots
By Phumzile Mavimbela
Following the Country's transit to Lock down level 1 on Sunday Midnight. The Minister Of Police Bheki Cele addressed members of the media in a briefing on Tuesday afternoon.
In his briefing the Minister mentioned that in an effort to respond to what he referred to as the "second pandemic" The government has identified the top 30 Gender Based Violence (GBV) hotspots around the country. He also stated that the list was compiled based on nine key variables, including the number of cases reported to the SAPS during the 2019/2020 financial year.
The reported cases include:
- Rape
- Human Trafficking for sexual offenses
- Kidnapping for sexual offense; domestic related
- and human trafficking.
"Figures of reported domestic violence related cases of Murder, Rape Attempted murder and Assault GBH were also considered when compiling this list" Said the minister
The hotspots list also includes eight other variables such as calls related to Domestic Violence and Gender based Violence received.
" Data was also included from victim support services, such as Thuthuzela Centers, health facilities and other data from other departments that paint a picture of GBV in a particular area.The Inter-Ministerial Committee on GBV will elaborate further on these hotspots compiled by various departments."
Cele further said that for the purposes of the briefing he would like to expand on the interventions that the SAPS will undertake in these identified areas.
'' As part of the SAPS’s Integrated Sexual offences and GBV action plan, there are pro-active measures with short, medium to long-term time frames. GBV remains a priority crime for the SAPS. As a prevention measure, the SAPS will also continue to have a sustained public awareness and community-based campaigns at the identified areas on GBV."
He also mentioned that all police stations in those identified areas are expected to have a permanent desk dedicated to GBV. This will go a long way in ensuring victims of gender crimes are responded to by trained officers in a professional way. The dedicated desk will reduce the risk of ill treatment at the hands of officers, as we have seen in some instances.
These permanent desks should not be limited to the hot spots areas only but should be a norm at all stations.
" We are also forging ahead with our plans of ensuring that Victim friendly rooms meet all requirements and are available at all police stations.Police stations should have access to DNA collection kits at all times in the identified areas and beyond.
A medium to long-term goal is the addressing of the GBV case backlog as well as re-looking at cold cases. The capacitating of the FCS specialized unit that handles all GBV and Femicide cases is on going and so is the training of members."
He also added that we know police alone will not rid the country of this evil, as the SAPS they will continue to strengthen our response to the GBV, He also memnitioned that the SAPS will continue to strengten thier response to GBV. This approach must promote accountability and ensure that all victims and survivors of GBV have access to justice.
In his closing he mentioned that In closing they are aware that the identification of these hotspots does not mean that GBV is limited only to these specified areas. Thus provinces are strongly encouraged to look at their own localized hotspots and ensure victim centered service delivery in all corners of the country.
Top 30 GBV Hotspots
- 1. Delft | 16. Dobsonville
- 2. Mamelodi East | 17. Bloemspruit
- 3. Tembisa | 18. Diepsloot
- 4. Umlazi | 19. Mitchells Plain
- 5. Empangeni | 20. Ikageng
- 6. Nyanga | 21.Osizweni
- 7. Inanda | 22. Kwa Mashu
- 8. Temba | 23. Ntuzuma
- 9. Khayelitsha | 24. Kopanong
- 10. Kwazakhele | 25. Honeydew
- 11. Alexandra | 26. Kraaifontein
- 12. Moroka | 27. Gugulethu
- 13. Mthatha | 28. Orange Farm
- 14. Mfuleni | 29. Butterworth
- 15. Plessislaer | 30. Bellville
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