DA calls for EC women’s support centres to open all week, after hours
The DA wants support centres for women in Eastern Cape police stations to stop operating from shipping containers and to open seven days a week and also after hours.
DA Women’s Network leader Nomafrench Mbombo said many women’s support centres in the country’s police stations did not provide a conducive environment to cater for gender-based violence victims.
She was speaking to journalists after her oversight visit to the Buffalo Flats police station in East London on Monday.
“Gender-based violence and abuse of children is a national disaster. It is a pity it has not been given as much attention as Covid-19,” she said.
However, cabinet has approved three bills intended to curb the scourge: a bill making sexual intimidation a new offence and expanding the scope of the National Register for Sex Offenders; amendments to the Criminal and Related Matters Act tightening the granting of bail among other changes; and amendments expanding the scope of the Domestic Violence Act.
They need approval from the National Assembly before they can be passed into law.
After walking around the station, Mbombo said they were concerned at the state of affairs at support centres.
“The issue of using a [shipping] container, where one can’t even move around, cannot be a place for counselling.
“We need to create an environment where women feel safe. I have been to all the provinces and it has been the same thing — sitting in a container is not conducive for anyone.”
Mbombo said among the complaints they had received was that gender-based violence victims did not receive counselling after 4pm at the Buffalo Flats victim support centre.
“The police are assisted by Masimanyane NGO for counselling and it’s problematic to see there is no counselling after hours and on the weekends, at times when we need to reach out to women the most.”
Mbombo acknowledged the chronic staff shortages and said lack of resources made it harder for police to do their jobs.
“They do not have enough vans for emergencies. The issues of human resources, lack of rape test kits, skills and training that is needed becomes difficult for any professional, if they are not equipped with counselling skills.
“So we are here to see how we can take these issues and raise them in parliament or with the national minister.”
The womens ’country support needs centres, 9,000 she said. Mbombo said it was time for people to start working with police to prevent crime via sector forums.
Such forums include community police forums that take up crime matters in their communities with the police.
“We need to have CPFs that work, so that they can create awareness within their community as well.
“The number of protection orders that end up being withdrawn by women is high. We need to educate our communities around that.”
Mbombo’s visit was followed by a visit to the Masithethe NGO in Southernwood.
Social development MEC Siphokazi Mani-Lusithi announced in May that R38.9m had been budgeted for GBV programmes and R49m for child protection in the current financial year.
Questions were sent to the provincial police but by print deadline no response had been received.
I have been to all the provinces and it has been the same thing — sitting in a container is not conducive for anyone