Operation Fiela believes that Kimberley is losing the fight against crime, gender-based violence and femicide and the war against drugs.
OPERATION Fiela believes that Kimberley is losing the fight against crime, gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) and the war against drugs.
During a march that proceeded to the Galeshewe police station on Tuesday, the convener of Women Waging War against GBVF, Milly Wolfe, stated that the Northern Cape was the “most dangerous” for women, children and other vulnerable groups such as the LBGTQI community.
“Drastic change needs to be the order of the day,” said Wolfe.
She highlighted the plight of citizens in the Province who fell prey to murder, domestic violence, femicide, rape and harassment.
“We call on the premier and provincial arms of the state to help root out these perils.”
Wolfe also called for government, business and the private sector to support and properly fund non-governmental organisations who operated shelters for abused women and children.
“All police stations and satellite stations must have a sufficient supply of rape kits. GBVF cases must be prioritised and fast-tracked and specialised units within the SAPS must handle these cases. Immediate action must be taken when women report threats of violence against them.”
She stated that the minimum sentence for gender-based violence cases should be increased.
“Specialised courts must deal with gender-based violence cases to prevent delays and backlogs.”
Wolfe called for harsher sentences to be imposed on drug dealers as drug abuse played a pivotal role in gender-based violence.
Operation Fiela chairperson Thabiso Louw pointed out that many crimes went unpunished.
“A suspect who had attempted to rape the daughter of a pastor has never been arrested. The girl bit him and managed to get away so he has a mark on his cheek. He is still employed at a local petrol station,” Louw said.
Kimberley station commander Brigadier Nicholas Mtongana, who accepted the memorandum, encouraged the public to come forward, even if cases had been closed.
“We can always reopen a case. However, we cannot comment on sentences that are handed down to accused persons as this falls under the justice cluster,” said Mtongana.
