In an effort to fight the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV), drug peddling, and alcohol abuse, an operation was held between 09 and 11 April 2021 at Port Alfred and Makhanda respectively.
The operation also focused on enforcement of Disaster Management Act Regulations and Liquor Trade Act as it has been noted that alcohol and substance abuse are contributors to gender-based violence.
These multi-disciplinary operations are supported by the Provincial Junior Management Core (JMC), Men for Change, Women’s Network, Community Police Forum (CPF), and local municipalities representatives within the Sarah Baartman District.
The following schools at Makhanda were visited namely, TEM Mrwetyana Senior Secondary School and Amasango Career Schools to create awareness, and an educational talk about sexual abuse, gender-based violence, and children’s rights was given to the learners.
Makhanda – A community Door to Door campaign was held at the Halani location with the assistance from Community Police Forum Youth Desk and the Department of Education(DOE). All identified cases of Gender-Based Violence were referred to local detectives and DOE officials for follow-up visits. One Protection Order was served at A street, Tantyi location. The awareness also spilled over to the CBD and Market Square Mall.
Port Alfred – A door-to-door campaign was held in New Rest at Nemato township followed by high visibility patrols in the residential areas, CBD, beachfront, and R72 en route to EL and R67 to Grahamstown.
Enforcement of Disaster Management Act Regulations
At Makhanda, five liquor trading outlets were visited to enforce compliance with the Liquor Trading Act at Joza township.
A total of seventeen fines were issued under the Disaster Management Act to the value of R9000 after sixty people were arrested for failure to wear a mask.
A further total of nine suspects who had outstanding warrants and wanted for crimes including shoplifting, burglary, theft out of a motor vehicle, and assault were successfully traced and arrested.
Seven fines were issued under the Disaster Management Act: R1800 at Port Alfred.
Enforcement of Road Traffic Act
In Port Alfred, 80 vehicles were stopped and twelve Traffic Fines were issued to the value of R33 430.00
Drugs arrests
Port Alfred – Two arrests were effected, one 19-year-old male for possession of drugs after he was found in possession of crystal meth. A second male suspect aged 28-years-old was arrested after being found in possession of mandrax.
A male suspect aged 19-years-old was arrested for possession of drugs called crystal meth and nyaope.
A male suspect aged 38-years-old was issued with two fines to the value of R2000 for Contravention of the Liquor Act.
The operations were effective and the community welcomed the heightened police presence.
These operations are expected to continue in other districts and towns throughout the year.
The Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga commended the partnership between organizations in the fight against crime and gender-based violence. “The fight against gender-based violence needs to go beyond one government department, to a multi-disciplinary sustained approach on gender-based violence by government departments, community, individuals, non-governmental organizations, private business and more importantly, men. Police cannot win this fight alone,” she said.
Gender-based violence awareness campaign at Port Alfred and Makhanda welcomed https://t.co/Uxff2pTIpq#ArriveAlive #Campaign #GBV @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/FHNHnBWKrz
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) April 12, 2021