EAST LONDON - Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene assured the community of Home of the Legends, in a media briefing, that the South African Police Service is committed to protect every citizen of the Province against criminality, especially Gender Based Violence and Femicide that violates the rights of Women and Children. The Media Briefing took place at Blue Lagoon Hotel in Beacon Bay, East London on Friday, 27 May 2022.

Lieutenant General Mene encouraged a multi-agency collaboration to deal a hard blow to the foundations of the scourge of Gender Based Violence within all communities across the Province, regardless of geographical locality and status. "She further indicated the difference made by the SAPS forces in rural areas of Lusikisiki in ensuring safety of citizens, especially Women and Children.

The Provincial Commissioner expressed her concern about victims who are not reporting crime to the police, however committed to ensure crime awareness campaigns across the Province to talk to various communities about the significance of reporting criminality.

She utilised the platform to unpack Eastern Cape's Operation Sikhona that is making huge difference in the Province in fighting criminality.

Lieutenant General Mene concluded by making a call to the community to break silence on Gender Based Violence and Femicide. "I am making a call to all our communities to please not keep quiet about Gender Based Violence incidents. It does not matter whether it is not affecting you and your relative, we urge you not to be silent. Reporting helps us to make in-roads in these cases. We are committed to ensuring that our people are, and feel safe under our watch," the General concluded.

The MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Mrs. Weziwe Tikana - Gxothiwe, who officiated the Media briefing, reiterated collective efforts in fighting Gender Based Violence in the Province, and further urged all communities to play their critical role in ensuring safety in their respective communities.

Source: South African Police Service