The Minister for Social Development, Ms Bathabile Dlamini, has called on the community of Delft to create a united force in the fight against violence in the area. She was speaking during an Imbizo hosted by the Department of Social Development at the Delft Technical High School on April 4. She had earlier gone to convey her condolences to the family of Lihle Hlanjwa the 9 year old girl from Delft who died on March 18 after three months in hospital as a result of being raped and burnt alive.
“The community of Delft must come together and take a stand against violence. The people who commit atrocities against this community are known and live among you. It is your responsibility to work with law enforcement agencies to bring perpetrators of violence to book,” urged Minister Dlamini.
Various cases of violence and gender-based violence have been reported in Delft in the recent past. Community members who participated in recent community dialogues, facilitated by the Department of Social Development, have highlighted violence as one of the key challenges facing the community.
The Department of Social Development, in partnership with the Vodacom Foundation, recently launched a pilot 24-hour call centre dedicated to providing support and counselling to victims of gender based violence. The toll free number to call is 0800 428 428 (0800 GBV GBV) to speak to a social worker for assistance and counselling.
The command centre allows social worker agents to provide telephonic support and counselling and can direct the victim’s case to a social worker in pilot areas, including Gauteng (Hillbrow, Moroka, Sunnyside, Akasia, Alexandra) and KwaZulu Natal (Edendale and Inanda). The Command Centre works in collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS), allowing calls to receive priority and be escalated to a police station nearest to them where necessary.
However, people from outside the pilot sites can call the Command Centre if they have an emergency and their calls will be redirected to police emergency services. Those outside the pilot areas with non-emergency cases (e.g., require counselling) can also have their cases referred to district social workers for follow-up.
Minister Dlamini also expressed a concern that the use of drugs in the community contributes to perpetuating violence. “Alcohol and substance abuse continues to ravage our communities, families and, particularly, our youth; the more so, as it goes hand in hand with crime, dysfunctional family life and premature death. I therefore urge parents to take an active interest in their children’s lives and protect them from drugs,” said Minister Dlamini.
She announced that the Department of Social Development would be working with the community of Delft to establish Drug Action Committees to spread awareness on the dangers of drug use and help youth recover from drug addictions.
Minister Dlamini will tomorrow, April 5, interact with the youth of KwaLanga and launch a Provincial Youth Forum that aims to actively deal with the social challenges faced by the youth in the region.
Enquiries:
Lumka Oliphant
Cell: 083 484 8067
E-mail: lumkao@dsd.gov.za
