Nelspruit: Today, the Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela wishes women, in particular SAPS members a blessed women’s day celebration.

Women’s Day is celebrated annually on the 09th of August and this year it is celebrated under the theme: “Generation Equality: Realizing women’s rights for an equal future”. We are aware that we are celebrating this day today under abnormal conditions were the entire world is ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic. This has not spared SAPS any favour but also affected like other organisations. We are very proud that our women in blue have shown and will continue to show commitment, dedication and focus. As we celebrate this day today, we need to think of members (women) who sacrificed their lives as the frontline workers who braved the deadly pandemic. Some of them perished while saving lives, for by their nature, women are caring and loving. We must dedicate this day to them for providing much needed service. May their souls rest in eternal peace as we continue to fight this pandemic.

We will continue to work very hard until our houses, cars, the loved ones and all our belongings are safe and free at all times. We will put extra effort to fight crime and corruption to the extent where all the residence of Mpumalanga can walk the streets any time of day free and fearless; sleep in their homes without all sorts of security measures; drive their cars anytime and anywhere without fear of being hi-jacked and grow their children without any fear of drug lords and rapists. As SAPS, particularly women, we promise to be vigilant, work little harder and smart so that we could always beat our opponents.

We still have a challenge of Gender Base Violence and Femicide throughout the country. As SAPS women, we commit ourselves that we will fight this scourge until we win the battle. We will ensure that the victims of abuse are supported through various support programmes we have and are treated with dignity and respect they deserve. Through the Social Crime Prevention, we will work together with communities in order to identify various challenges and bringing possible solutions. Women are the pillars of the families and therefore can play a pivotal role in bringing forward the victims of GBV. We encourage them to speak out and not keep the abuse as a secret. We are here as Women of SAPS to provide assistance where is needed. We therefore should work together in order to conquer any form of abuse to the vulnerable groups. We need to refrain from hiding child abuse in the name of “cultural beliefs”. Children must be allowed to be children. They should be free, play freely and walk freely without any fear. Women must support each other and avoid stigmatising this abuse.

Please report any form of abuse and as early as it happens to the Police so that you can be assisted urgently.

Have a happy women’s day celebration and I wish you all the best for the remainder of the month.

Source: South African Police Service