The South African Police Service (SAPS) and Ndlambe Municipality joined forces on 26 November at the Mamityi Gidana Stadium to host a community awareness event in support of the international 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign. The initiative, running from 25 November to 10 December 2025, aims to encourage community action against the ongoing crisis of gender-based violence (GBV).
From the Department of Social Development, Nosithembiso Sakata emphasised the responsibility every community member holds in combating abuse. “We cannot carry on like this. If you know your neighbour is in a violent situation, please speak up and report it to the police. It’s so easy to turn a blind eye and have a ‘don’t get involved’ mentality,” she urged.
SAPS Communications Officer Captain Marius McCarthy, commenting later, said the festive season often saw a rise in domestic violence, often alcohol-related.
“The aim of the event was to reach those who may still be in denial of this evil that resides among us. Hopefully, we have achieved this objective,” he said.
To promote a safer festive season, SAPS had implemented several measures including:
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Increased police visibility in hotspot areas
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Regular compliance checks at liquor outlets to ensure adherence to trading hours, prevent sales to minors, and curb serving intoxicated patrons
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Limited leave for officers to ensure stronger operational capacity
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Strengthened Victim Friendly Rooms, providing privacy, dignity, and professional support to survivors in collaboration with Social Development, the Justice Department, NGOs, and community leaders
“We commit to responding to every GBV complaint with urgency, compassion and professionalism,” McCarthy said.
“The South African Police Service cannot win this fight alone we need the community as much as the community needs us. Report GBV immediately and do not stay silent. We must support survivors instead of blaming them and teach our boys and men that strength is not violence.”
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This article was first published in Talk of the Town, December 4, 2025. The newspaper serving the communities of Ndlambe and the Sunshine Coast, with a weekly wrap of Makhanda news, is available at stores from early on Thursdays
