LADY FRERE – Gender-based violence and femicide crimes are on the rise in rural areas and that calls for immediate intervention. In support of the ongoing 16 Days of Activism awareness campaign, the Leadership of the Eastern Cape Women’s Network and Men for Change jointly with External Stakeholders held a community awareness engagement session on Friday, 26 November 2021, at the Ezingqolweni, and Emachubeni Administration Area in Lady Frere.
This initiative was to remind the communities that the future of our country is in the hands of those who live in it and that it is not solely the responsibility of the South African Police Service to end crime, but the civil society which has a primary role to play.
During his welcoming address, Mr Machuleli Feketsha from the Emalahleni Municipality, who is also leading the Local Circumcision Coordinators, positively received the initiative of the SAPS and the stakeholders saying “Sessions of this nature are vital. As we know that things have changed, life in general has changed, but Moral Regeneration remains throughout. This is an ongoing struggle but one we can fight and win against”. he expressed.
Representing the Eastern Cape Men for Change, Sergeant Thando Kodwa extensively outlined the vision and the mission of the Men For Change. “It is disheartening to see our women and children lose their lives at the hands of men who are supposed to protect them” Let us call out each other when in the wrong,” he concluded.
Provincial Commander, Crime Prevention, Colonel Andiswa Mahlelehlele thanked the community for their active participation in the Imbizo. “Crime affects all of us, in some way or the other, we are all victims of crime, and that is why it is important that we stand together. We cannot fight crime alone”, she expressed.
The audience were also given an opportunity to voice their concerns and were offered a platform to exchanged prevention methods which also aims to aid the police and ensure a safe and secure community for all.
The teams then proceeded to the CBD were they conducted roadblocks, stop and searches and awareness campaigns.
Source: South African Police Service