Police safety tips
Police have sent out some safety and security tips that could help residents during the festive season. Lieutenant Khaya Thonjeni said South African Police Services would like to warn the community members about the following:
General safety tips -
• Do not attract unwarranted attention by openly displaying cash, expensive jewellery, cameras or other valuables. • Carry your wallet, credit cards, and other important documents in your inside front pockets. • Avoid carrying large sums of money. • Avoid dark and isolated places or travelling on your own • Plan your travel routes beforehand. • Be careful at ATMs - if you are suspicious, cancel the transaction and move away
When travelling in your car -
• Plan your route in advance • Make sure you have plenty of petrol and that your car is roadworthy • Fasten seat belts and lock windows • Avoid displaying valuables in the car • Never pick up strangers • If you feel uncomfortable, drive to the nearest police station
When leaving your house (for short or long periods) -
• Ensure you lock your doors and gates when you leave • If you are going to be away for a long time, consider leaving someone to look after your house • You can also request a relative or a neighbour to help you switch on the lights in the evening and off during the day • Ensure that you have burglar proofing as they have proved in many cases to be effective deterrent • Install automatic time-fitted lights to some of your lights in your house to make it appear as if the house is occupied • If you leave your curtains open, be careful of what is in view • Having a dog may also be a deterrent. A barking dog can alert an entire block if something is awry • Consider fitting in an alarm system or install motion sensitive flood lights outdoors as they can deter burglars who work at night • Don't leave anything to chance. When leaving your house double check if all the doors, gates and windows are locked to ensure maximum safety • Along with locking doors and windows, try to make your house inaccessible to unauthorised entry by strengthening your garage doors, fence, gates, windows and doors to delay access to the home • Communities are advised to also conduct their own neighbourhood watches; and when they notice a suspicious activity, they must quickly report to the nearest police station • Communities must also notify/report at their nearest police stations when leaving their homes • Communities with Community Police Forums should work with these structures to report crimes committed and crime related activities happening within their precincts. Up to seven people a day find refuge in Grahamstown‘s Safe House for survivors of rape and abuse or intimidation. There are many more who need the facility, but who can‘t be accommodated – and the Makana Rape Survivor Group, who run the Safe House, are appealing for help.
Safe House co-ordinator Zanyiwe Nzwakazi said they work through Grahamstown's two police stations, in Extension 6 and Beaufort Street. The number of survivors they assist depends on the cases they get from the police stations.
” Sometimes we take up to five people a day, or it could be as many as seven people," said Nzwakazi.
‶ People are referred by the police stations around Grahamstown. They handle a case and they send the victims straight to us to keep safe,‶ Nzwakazi said.
‶ This is because in some cases we find that the victim lives with the suspect, so this is where we come in and protect the victim during the time of the trial.
‶ Each person can stay for up to five days, depending how long we take to reunite them with other family members. We have cases where a victim can stay for as long as a week.‶
The organisation also assists children, but not unaccompanied: they may stay in the safe house with a parent or guardian.
The Makana Rape Survivor Group, which manages the Safe House, is pleased to receive any donations in cash or kind to assist in its running. Food, clothes for women and children, and toys are welcomed.
In addition, because they are operating from small premises, they are in need of a second safe house.
The organisation has been operating for 14 years. The Safe House is run by four board members: Dineo Matebese, Beverly Ramstad, Vuyelwa Mthimkhulu and Eugene Marais.
The organisation is mainly subsidised by the Department of Social Development, but this doesn‘t cover all their costs which is why they need donations.
‶ We have been struggling to pay our rent, because we don't get much from the department and they are the only source of funding for the organisation,‶ Nzwakazi said. ‶ We would like donations of any kind, be it food, clothes, or toys for the little ones.
‶ We can't reveal the physical address of the Safe House, because we have to protect our victims at all costs, so anyone who would like to make a donation can kindly do so by going to the nearest police station or contact me on 073 0864 143.‶