Cele addresses imbizo to prevent GBV in Khayelitsha

KHAYELITSHA - Police Minister Bheki Cele says gender-based violence won’t be stopped through imbizos alone – but, it’s a step in the right direction.

He addressed dozens of men in Khayelitsha today, urging them – and police – to work harder to protect women and children.

READ: Communities urged to speak up against GBV

Imbizo Ya Madoda is aimed at preventing the scourge of GBV and femicide.

Police plan to take these dialogues across the country.

Khayelitsha residents have demanded decisive progress in the fight against gender-based violence.

This includes setting up a Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit at every police station in the township.

Social Justice Coalition's Bonga Zamisa said, “most of the people are not aware where is the FCS unit and where they can be assisted, all they know is that when there’s a case of gender-based violence or rape, they should go to the nearest police station."

"So most residents struggle with the fact that when they reach the nearest police station, like in Harare, they are told no we are not able to assist you please go to Khayelitsha police station which is about 6 or 7 kilometers away. So that discourages victims of violence and rape.”

Cele says Imbizo Ya Madoda is just the start and government also needs to do its part.

Imbizo participants have pledged to end gender-based violence