An increase in gender-based violence (GBV) cases in Lwandle has prompted the police to take a different approach to combat the scourge on society’s most vulnerable.
On Saturday 2 November, members of the Lwandle police visited two township taverns to address male patrons on how they can prevent any incident of violence against women and children.
Officers were afforded a listening ear by patrons at Khasibe Tavern in Vulindlela Street, Lwandle, and Mababela Tavern in Tryilani Street, Nomzamo, on Saturday afternoon.
The purpose of the campaign was to get patrons and tavern owners to alert the police to potential GBV actions by their fellow men.
“If we see or hear about GBV and we keep quiet, then we as men also have to take blame for it,” said Ward 86 councillor Xolani Diniso, who accompanied police to Khasibe Tavern where male patrons were addressed on the matter.
He believed by coming to taverns they were stopping incidents of GBV at its root.
“We know that the majority of the GBV perpetrators are men, so we came directly to where they gathered.”
According to Station Commander Lieutenant-Colonel Mlamli Voyiya, most of the grievous-bodily-harm cases related to domestic violence were a direct result of alcohol abuse.
“It all begins with alcohol,” he said. “We do not see as many of these cases during the week. It is only when Friday, Saturday and Sunday come around that we see a spike in GBV assaults.”
Going forth tavern owners will be leaned on heavily to inform police in order to get the necessary help to the relative parties.
“When owners hear patrons say things such as ‘when I get home I am going to show my wife who is the man of the house’, they have to contact us,” said Sergeant Mthokozisi Gama, Lwandle police’s social crime prevention coordinator and spokesperson.
He said should the police be called on in such an instance intervention by authorities with assistance of social services will be prioritised.
Maphelo Nlyamakasi, manager of Khabise Tavern, expressed being for action to help curb incidents of GBV, whether or not it adversely affects business.
“This allows men to be more open and talk about their problems instead of taking it out on their partners,” said Nlyamakasi.
According to a patron, Nkoiyodumo Mdibaniso, the initiative helps promote safety in the community. “The police rely on us for information so if we see something we need to say something.”
The police are hoping the campaign lowers GBV cases in Lwandle, whereas Duniso is hoping for an even bigger outcome. “We don’t just want to see GBV minimised, we want to eradicate it,” he said.
