“Gender-based violence (GBV) is a pandemic deeply rooted in gender inequality and continues to be a notable human right violation within all communities.” These are the views of the Tongaat SAPS station commander, Colonel Santha Moodley, who has called on all women to blow the whistle on sexual violence.
With August being Women’s Month, Tongaat and Verulam Tabloid spoke to Col Moodley on the progress and successes made on GBV cases at the station. Col Moodley is at the station’s helm of the fight against crime.
However, she believes that policing GBV comes with its challenges as “it is a very emotional matter”. She said: “Often victims become conflicted for several reasons such as concern over their children, fear of repercussions if they continue with the reported case, concern over society’s reaction, isolation from family and friends, and how they would cope financially.
“These factors tend to contribute to victims wanting to withdraw cases. We encourage victims to pursue their cases to finality so that perpetrators know there are consequences for their actions and they will stop being abusive.”
In response to escalating GBV cases, Tongaat SAPS has launched a gender-based violence unit at the station for the victims of sexual abuse and assault. In addition to this, the station appointed a crime prevention coordinator to manage, and direct all GBV issues while assisting the victims in reporting cases. The coordinator works in partnership with the social workers.
“We conduct regular awareness campaigns in the community, provided that there is a GBV desk in place that helps tackle all cases related to GBV. We work in conjunction with external role players such as the local child welfare, Justice Department, Department of Social Development and NGOs,” said Col Moodley.
She said since the inception of the GBV unit at the station, the police have made great strides in convicting the perpetrators. “The root cause of domestic violence is intolerance. Perpetrators resort to violence rather than try to resolve disputes amicably. Alcohol and substance abuse is also a major contributor.
“We try and tailor our awareness programmes in terms of our analysis of the reported GBV cases so that it is relevant to the community. Our GBV desk is situated next to the community service centre (CSC) to provide victims with a safe and private environment to report cases. It is also a more user-friendly environment than the CSC. We also try, where possible, to ensure a female member attends to a female victim. Where necessary, visits are also conducted to the residences of victims to do on-site inspections and offer guidance and assistance.
“There is a youth desk that also participates in awareness programs pertaining to GBV,” she said.
Being a woman in a male-dominated career, Col Moodley still believes that the issue of acceptance of women in leadership roles remains a challenge.
“In a very patriarchal society it’s still difficult for men and certain sectors of society to accept women can lead in any environment but more so in law enforcement. Women also seem to have to work harder to prove that they are more than capable of delivering on their mandate. But thankfully that attitude is rapidly changing in my environment.
“I can unreservedly say that the South African Police Service is making great strides in ensuring gender transformation. Remember a few years ago we even had the first female National commissioner appointed.
Currently, there are several Major Generals and Lieutenant Generals holding significant, strategic managerial posts throughout the country.
These women give the younger generation hope for advancement in the police service,” she said.
Talking about her day-to-day job, although working at the police station can be challenging, Col Moodley believes that the profession requires one to truly be a “Jill of all trades”.
“We get stones thrown at us, shot at, do high-speed chases, sworn at for no valid reason. Where else would you find this mixed bag of events? It’s an absolutely unique environment. You never know what the day holds. It is also gratifying when criminals are convicted and taken off the streets. It is heartwarming when people see our actions are making a difference for the better in people’s lives. Nothing is more fulfilling for me than knowing you were able to make a positive contribution to someone’s life.”
Col Moodley was among police officers deployed in crime hotspot areas during the July 2021 unrest. “Witnessing the mayhem caused by the looting was truly devastating. I think being a woman worked in my favour as the looters seemed to underestimate the presence of a woman in the midst of the mayhem. When decisive action was taken and they released it was a woman leading from the front they quickly changed their stance. As women we just want to deliver on our mandate to serve and protect, no matter what the situation is,” she added.
Col Moodley urged women to take take a proactive stance in the fight against sexual abuse. She also called on communities to report GBV to the police.
