Cops also victims of gender violence

UNION: CAMPAIGN ‘SEEKS JUSTICE’ FOR OLD, IGNORED CASES

- Masoka Dube

Law enforcement officials who are supposed to be protecting the public against gender-based violence (GBV) are themselves victims in their workplaces.

"Police and correctional services officers tasked with combating SA's gender-based violence epidemic are facing a grim irony as they are often victims of gender-based violence and femicide themselves," said Richard Mamabolo, national spokesperson for the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru).

The union launched a campaign aimed at compelling the SAPS and the department of correctional services to speed up investigations of cases that were reported long ago.

"We are now meeting the department's regional offices in Northern Cape and Free State, because cases that have been brought to our attention since July last year have not been concluded," Mamabolo said.

"Our campaign, including a protest that will be held in Kimberley today, is to raise awareness and ensure the victims can trust the union to take further steps," said Mamabolo.