Latest news with #PalesaModise
The Citizen
30-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Tshwane launches new strategy to tackle GBV
In a decisive move to fight gender-based violence (GBV), the Tshwane metro officially launched a strategic response to co-ordinate and prevent these crimes that target women and children in the metro. The initiative was launched on May 28. Led by the MMC for Community and Social Development, Palesa Modise, the initiative marked a turning point in the city's approach to GBV. According to Section 79 chairperson for Community and Social Development, Rebecca Monchusi, the initiative addresses something South Africans have long demanded. 'It moves us away from symbolic condemnation towards co-ordinated, actionable prevention and intervention,' Monchusi said. She emphasised that GBV is not a peripheral issue, so it must be recognised as a national emergency. 'We are losing lives daily. In the third quarter of the 2024/25 reporting year alone, over 11 700 rape cases were reported in South Africa – an average of 130 per day. These are not just numbers, they are shattered families, silenced voices, and broken communities,' said Monchusi. She said that the multiparty initiative demonstrates the kind of proactive leadership that Tshwane desperately needs. Monchusi added that for months, civil society has been calling for GBV to be declared a national disaster, demanding urgent and co-ordinated action across all spheres of government. 'This initiative tells of the commitment of the multiparty government of the City of Tshwane and has the potential to shift the national tone. This is no longer about waiting for top-down solutions,' explained Monchusi. She said Tshwane is leading through action and the resolve of knowing that it is possible to respond with urgency, empathy, and strategy. She highlighted the importance of this strategy being rooted in partnership between the government, civil society, communities, and survivors themselves. 'Tshwane must not only react to the violence once it happens, but it must also work to prevent it, support those affected, and transform the systems that have allowed GBV to persist unchecked,' said Mochusi. ALSO READ: Brooklyn remains SA's top hotspot for vehicle theft despite national decline Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
29-04-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
GBV rapid response team established in Tshwane
Tshwane has established a gender-based violence (GBVF) regional rapid response task team as a crucial step towards addressing the ongoing scourge of GBV in the metro. This initiative aligns with the national government's commitment to the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (2020-2030), which calls for coordinated, multisectoral action at all levels of society. Recognising the urgent need for faster, more targeted interventions, the metro has prioritised the creation of rapid response teams to ensure victims of violence receive immediate support and protection. The new Tshwane GBV Rapid Response Task Team is made up of representatives from a broad range of sectors. These include local government officials, law enforcement agencies, health and medical services, social services, the justice system, education, civil society and non-governmental organisations, traditional and faith-based leaders, community-based organisations, shelter and safe house representatives, and advisory experts. Tshwane MMC for Community and Social Development Services, Palesa Modise, said the team's core mandate is to strengthen collaboration between government departments and community stakeholders, ensuring a coordinated approach to service delivery. She said their responsibilities include providing immediate support to victims of GBVF by facilitating access to emergency healthcare, legal assistance, safe accommodation, and psychological services. 'Beyond responding to individual cases, the task team will play a vital role in promoting accountability and information sharing. 'They will provide timely reports to authorities about emerging trends, incidents, and community needs, allowing for a proactive approach to preventing violence before it escalates,' said Modise. Modise said the team also aims to raise awareness within communities about the realities of GBV and the resources available to victims. By working closely with local organisations, schools, and faith-based groups, they will drive education initiatives that challenge harmful gender norms and empower survivors. 'The rapid response task team's objectives are clear: to ensure swift access to services for victims, to coordinate key stakeholders for a seamless support network, to investigate and prevent further acts of violence, and to promote preventative measures across municipalities.' Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
