Wedela SAPS educates learners on child safety during National Child Protection Week
The team visited Wedela Primary School, where they engaged with learners from Grades 1 to 3, delivering vital information on child safety and abuse prevention. They were joined by dedicated staff from Wedela's Victim Friendly Room (VFR): Hazel Nyembezi, Dimpho Lehoko, Thato Mogole, Athandile Sihlwayi, Tsogo Seleke, and Lubabalo Peyi.
'The purpose of the visit was to talk to the learners about child abuse and how they should protect themselves,' said Sgt. Sifuba. 'Most importantly, they must know they can report such cases, even if it's their uncle, father, brother, or neighbour who is touching them in a way they don't like.'
The outreach impacted 244 learners, with the team encouraging them to speak to their teachers or ask for help in contacting the police if they felt unsafe or experienced any form of abuse. The session empowered children with the knowledge that their voices matter and that help is always available.
This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to promote awareness and ensure the safety and well-being of all children in the community.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Maverick
8 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Hawks mum on arrests after numerous Nelson Mandela Bay kidnappings
The Hawks have refused to provide any specifics around arrests for a spate of kidnappings in Nelson Mandela Bay this year, offering only vague assurances that 'progress' is being made. Meanwhile, on Monday morning a woman from Kariega was forcefully taken in what was confirmed to be another kidnapping. On Tuesday, Hawks spokesperson Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana implored the families of kidnap victims not to try to handle the situation by themselves. Mhlakuvana said family involvement was hindering the police's investigations into the many kidnappings in Nelson Mandela Bay. This warning comes as community anxiety mounts over the recent kidnapping of Theresa Minnie, the latest victim in Fairbridge Heights, Kariega (formerly Uitenhage) in the metro. While not all kidnappings are reported to the police it is estimated that there have been anywhere between 13 and 25 kidnappings for ransom this year alone in the metro. Mhlakuvana said the Hawks could not give any information on arrests. Councillor Bill Harrington from the Freedom Front Plus said their statistics indicated that there had been 25 kidnappings this year alone. Several sources, some close to the families who suffered a kidnapping this year, said they do not believe there have been any arrests. In June, Lindsay Knowlden was kidnapped from the municipal fresh produce market in Markman as she and her husband arrived for work on a Saturday morning. Meanwhile fear has gripped the metro and communities are organising secret meetings to discuss how they can keep themselves safe after 73-year-old Minnie was kidnapped from her home on Monday at about 5.30am. Minnie was on her way to work at the family's logistics business when she was overpowered and dragged into a Volkswagen Polo that then sped away. The police confirmed that a charge of kidnapping had been opened, but by Tuesday night there had been no confirmation if a ransom demand was received. 'In several instances, we have observed the direct engagements between the victims' families and perpetrators,' Mhlakuvana added. 'We discourage such practices as it most of the time hinders our investigations. 'The multidisciplinary kidnapping task team remains active and continues to operate in close coordination with various SAPS units,' he said. 'The team's focus is to swiftly address kidnapping cases effectively.' He said he could confirm that this 'collaborative task team' had 'active kidnapping investigations'. Mhlakuvana said that even providing basic information, such as the number of arrests, would 'compromise ongoing investigations'. However, he did not explain how confirming an arrest might jeopardise a case. But he assured the public that 'significant progress has been made'. Arrests, he said, had been made for 'kidnapping-related offences'. 'It must be noted that some of these cases are currently before court, while others are still under investigation. We have seen positive results as we work closely with communities.' In April the police managed to free American missionary Josh Sullivan, who was kidnapped for ransom from his church in Motherwell. Three of the men who held him captive were killed by the police at the time. The current president of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, Kelvin Naidoo, was also kidnapped for ransom last year but later released by his captors. The Democratic Alliance's Yusuf Cassim said he believed that there had been a major failure in crime intelligence, both in Nelson Mandela Bay and in the Eastern Cape. 'I also believe they have no arrests to show,' he said. 'The state of crime intelligence in the province has gone beyond just being a concern. It has been debilitated.' In May the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police received a petition drawn up by residents of Nelson Mandela Bay's Northern Areas. In their subsequent discussion they pointed out that the problems plaguing Nelson Mandela Bay were systemic and echoed across the country. 'Repeated acts of violence, a culture of fear in communities and an apparent lack of accountability had become entrenched,' the meeting report read. Following this meeting the Portfolio Committee on Police resolved to request further information from the SAPS on the status and resourcing of the Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) and Crime Intelligence in the Eastern Cape, as well as the police's plans to improve investigation quality, prioritise forensic analysis and enforce discipline among its ranks. As part of its recommendations the committee ordered that 'the SAPS must urgently address staffing, equipment, and capacity gaps in the Eastern Cape's AGU and Crime Intelligence structures, specifically in Nelson Mandela Bay. 'A progress report on steps taken to implement the recommendation should be submitted by the end of July 2025.' Cassim said no such report has been received. 'We are in big trouble,' he said. DM
The Citizen
12 hours ago
- The Citizen
‘Untrue allegations': IDAC denies warrants for national police commissioner Masemola
Despite allegations, no arrest warrants have been issued for Lieutenant General Fannie Masemola, says IDAC spokesperson. The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) dismissed claims that arrest warrants exist for National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Fannie Masemola, emphasising that no such warrants have been issued. In the past weeks, there has been speculation about Masemola's possible arrest following a clampdown on other senior officials in the South African Police Service (Saps), in an investigation involving R45 million in property deals. On Monday, The Citizen reported that Masemola and four senior crime intelligence officers will each face at least four charges for their roles in the multimillion-rand acquisition of buildings by the Saps Crime Intelligence Unit. No arrest warrants for Masemola – IDAC IDAC, and entity of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), refuted these allegations as untrue on Tuesday. 'The NPA's Investigating Directorate Against Corruption has, in the past weeks, received media queries relating to unfounded allegations of warrants having been issued for the arrest of the National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, and others, and has taken note of numerous false articles that have been published on these allegations,' IDAC spokesperson Henry Mamothame said in a statement on Tuesday. ALSO READ: Police offer R300K reward for info on whereabouts of cop killers 'IDAC maintains what it has repeatedly confirmed to the media: these are untrue allegations; no such warrants have been issued.' At the centre of the speculation is the decision by Saps to buy buildings without going through the normal procurement process through the Department of Public Works. Masemola suspended Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo, acting Crime Intelligence supply chain head Brigadier Janse van Vuuren, and finance and administration services head Colonel Samamaya Mayekiso in connection with the matter. Saps property purchases investigation Khumalo was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport in June following an 'extensive' probe into the alleged unlawful purchase of two luxury properties. Last month, the EFF leader Julius Malema said that Masemola would be arrested for conspiring with Khumalo. ALSO READ: 'It's Ramaphosa's discretion': Cachalia on how long he expects to remain police minister Malema's remarks came a week after KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made explosive allegations against police Minister Senzo Mchunu and deputy national commissioner for crime detection Shadrack Sibiya of political interference in police operations. Last week, the ad hoc committee investigating the allegations made by Mkhwanazi elected Molapi Soviet Lekganyane as its chairperson. He said in his opening remarks that the matters before the committee are of grave concern to South Africa. Mkhwanazi ad hoc investigation The committee is tasked to investigate the veracity and implications of all the allegations made by Mkhwanazi about organs of state and criminal syndicates operating in the country. 'Wherever there would have been unscrupulous activities, South Africans would want us to rise to the occasion and unearth it,' said the chairperson. NOW READ: Police investigate allegations of Basotho military-style training camps in South Africa Additional reporting by Faizel Patel
The Citizen
15 hours ago
- The Citizen
Over R500 million spent by government on civil claims against police
Over 15 000 civil claims against police were lodged in the space of 12 months, leading management to increase training for officers. The state has parted ways with over half a billion rand in payments for civil claims against police in the space of 12 months. Data showed that the state and the police ministry were reluctant to settle matters, instead forcing the courts to grant payment orders to complainants. The police ministry noted that officers had been undergoing training in order to prevent situations that would cost the state down the line. Over 15 000 civil claims The minister of police was asked via a written submission in parliament about the scale of civil claims against police in the country. The ministry replied with the latest available figures, presenting the stats for the 2023/24 financial year as more recent claims were still in the legal pipeline. Data provided for the period mentioned, showed that 15 067 civil claims were made against police for wrongful arrest, as well as another 180 related to shooting incidents. The combined amount of the claims totalled R14.8 billion for arrests and detentions, and R741 million for the shooting-related civil claims. 'It must be noted that the above reflect the total number of new claims received during the 2023/2024 financial year and the amount claimed,' the police ministry noted. The respondents — the state and the police minster — settled the claims out of court roughly 5% of the time, with the remainder of claimants requiring a court order to force payment. For arrests and detention, the state paid out R466 million — R20.6 million through settlement and R445 million by court order. In civil claims related to shooting incidents, settlements accounted for R4.4 million, while court orders forced the payment of R57.8 million Reiterating national instructions The police ministry stated it was implementing several measures to help officers to avoid 'undesirable consequences'. These measures centre around 'mind-set changes' as well as the 'attitudes and behaviours' of officers through rigorous internal communications programmes. 'The issue of civil claims has been identified as a strategic risk for the department, requiring that specified risk owners implement specific actions to mitigate, or reduce the incidence of civil claims,' explained the ministry. A risk committee was set up to report mitigation measures to management and additional training on how to guard against civil claims was touted. Areas of police work mentioned as needing attention centred around the treatment of arrested people, dealing with domestic violence incidents and crowd management, among others. '[This includes] the drafting of and workshopping of members on specific instructions aimed at regulating the powers that are accorded to Saps members,' the ministry concluded. NOW READ: Police ahead! What to do at a roadblock
