Police Minister, Bheki Cele says police should prioritise cases of Gender Based-Violence.
Cele is in Upington in the Northern Cape as part of the Safer Festive Season Inspection Tour.
He will help with roadblocks, visit malls and shopping centres and interact with community members during his visit.
The visit forms part of efforts by police to channel resources to areas where they are most needed.
Cele says when victims of GBV present themselves at police stations, officers must act swiftly.
He says, “When women come to report that they have been abused by their male partners, or whoever, you stop everything you do and you attend to the abused woman. And never, ever tell that woman to go back home and negotiate with the perpetrator. You are not negotiators. Your job is to protect the weak. Your jobs is to protect those that are abused, your job is to arrest.”
Eastern Cape
On Tuesday, while visiting the Mthatha in the Eastern cape, Cele highlighted the importance of the police role in protecting women and children.
Cele has raised concern that the abuse, sexual assault and rape of women is rife in the OR Tambo region, with Lusikisiki recording more of those cases.
He has called on police officers to do everything in their power to protect women and children.
“Men must understand that women are not there for their pleasures. Women are full human beings, that they have the space and they have the space granted by God that they live as they wish. So it’s important that when you see that a woman is under threat, drop as an officer every and anything and protect those women and those children.
VIDEO: Cele calls on police to prioritise protection of women and children this festive:
