DURBAN - POLICE Minister Bheki Cele has urged police officers to ensure that women, children, people with disabilities and people of all sexual orientations are protected and safe, as the festive season is approaching.
He said police, especially in the community service centres, should not expose women to secondary victimisation by asking unnecessary questions when they come in to report gender-based violence (GBV).
Cele was speaking to the officers at the launch of the 2021/22 annual National Safer Festive Season campaign on Friday.
Cele said as the festive season is approaching GBV cases usually see an increase and he wanted police to do their work instead of asking women to go back and try to negotiate with the perpetrators.
“Never send women back to negotiate with the perpetrator, that is not your job. You’re not a negotiator. Treat women with care and dignity when they come to report a crime,” he said.
He further said police must not ask women about their clothing because they have a right to dress as they wish.
“We need to speak with perpetrators, women have a right to live. They have human rights and they don’t need any assistance from you. Yours as men is to give them the space to fly,” he said.
According to the festive season plan, there will be intensified operations focusing on GBV crimes, with the period coinciding with the country’s annual 16 Days of Activism campaign.
The second area of focus will be vigilance of money-related crimes, with the high rotation of money during this period on the rise.
“Plans of crime-prevention operations have been placed to ensure the well-being of tourists and all residents,” the national police said.
THE MERCURY