DOCS officials join in SAPS women-led operation

The Minister of Community Safety, Albert Fritz, welcomes the women-led operation conducted on Friday in the Steenberg SAPS precinct. Officials from the Department of Community Safety (DOCS) joined SAPS and distributed merchandise and literature related to Domestic Violence (DV) and Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).

The operation commenced with a joint briefing at Retreat Civic Centre. This was followed by a joint roadblock in Prince George Drive and a visit to three old age homes where care packages will be handed over. 

Minister Fritz said, “I welcome the joint women-led operation as it demonstrates the close working relationship between SAPS and the DOCS. I look forward to working closer still with the Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Yolisa Matakata in efforts to reduce crime and specifically tackle the prevalence of Gender Based Violence, Femicide and Domestic Violence.”

Amongst the units present included Vehicle Crime Investigative Unit (VCIU), flying squad, K9 unit, mounted unit, traffic officers, City of Cape Town law enforcement, Metro Police and the SANDF.

Minister Fritz said, “During the roadblock, an arrest was made of a suspect in possession of a large amount of cannabis. The K9 unit and VCIU where critical partners in the arrest. Additionally, the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit has been hard at work since 2am on Friday to apprehend suspects for related crimes and has made numerous arrests in this regard. I commend SAPS in the Western Cape for the effort they have undertaken to fight the scourge of GBVF and DV.”

Minister Fritz continued, “I wish to condemn in the strongest terms the reported murder of Nomvuzo Atoli (22). On Thursday morning, her body was found discarded in a dumpster in Siyanyanzela informal settlement. I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to Atoli’s family and her community during this difficult time and call on anyone with information which could assist SAPS in their investigation to immediately come forward and report such to SAPS by visiting their local station, calling Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or using the MySAPS application.”

Attention broadcasters, please see English audio clip here: https://clyp.it/cxkgothl