Minister Fritz provides support in obtaining a protection order | Western Cape Government

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Minister Fritz provides support in obtaining a protection order

17 March 2021

Under the leadership of Minister Albert Fritz, the Department of Community Safety is through its Court Watching Brief Unit continuing to provide support in GBV and Domestic Violence matters. At the same, Minister Fritz has called on SAPS in the Western Cape to take a no-tolerance approach towards would-be contraveners of protection orders. 

Recently, Minister Fritz was approached by Ms Sampson who had been struggling to obtain a protection order against a former tenant who had been making her feel unsafe at home and trespassing. She approached SAPS on two prior occasions to execute a protection order, however she had not received the necessary assistance and approached Minister Fritz.

Minister Fritz said, “I then referred Ms Sampson to members of the Court Watching Brief Unit, namely Advocate Leslie Morris, and the Department who assisted by facilitating a meeting between Ms Sampson and an officer at her local SAPS, where for the third time, she requested that SAPS execute her protection order.”

Minister Fritz added, “The accused, who continued to trespass despite there being a protection order, alleged that he was not aware of the protection order. SAPS then proceeded to deliver the protection order to him in person so that he could not allege that he had not received it. He has subsequently been charged for contravention of a protection order and appeared in Court on Thursday, 11 March 2021.”

Ms Sampson has said that since the suspect was charged and appeared at court that she feels much safer and can finally rest easily. She is very grateful for the support that she has received from both SAPS and the Department of Community Safety.

Minister Fritz added, “I am very pleased with the oversight role played by my Department. Where residents require related assistance, I encourage them to email our Court Watching Brief Unit on Monitor.GBV@westerncape.gov.za.”

Applying for a protection order

Minister Fritz said, “A Protection Order is an order issued by a court ordering a person with whom one has or has had a domestic relationship, to stop the abuse. It is important that individuals be empowered with the knowledge of their rights pertaining to DV. This includes understanding what a protection order is and how they can obtain it. Used properly and under the correct circumstances, it can be a powerful tool in protecting a person’s life and wellbeing all-round.”

A protection orders prohibits the respondent from:

  • enlisting the help of another person to commit any such act;
  • entering a residence shared by a complainant and the respondent or a specified part of the shared residence or the victims place of employment or where the victim resides;
  • committing any other act as specified in the protection order including an order to seize any firearms or dangerous weapon from the respondent; or
  • financially threatening the victim by making monetary relief available to the victim.

Minister Fritz said, “You can apply for a protection order if you are a victim of domestic violence, this includes children. If the victim is too young, a parent or guardian, or any person acting on behalf of someone who is responsible for them, may apply with their permission for a protection order.”

Minister Fritz added, “In the event that the respondent disobeys the protection order, the applicant should contact the SAPS. Thereafter a statement will be taken from him/her; the police will be provided with a warrant of arrest which the complainant received together with the protection order and, if the victim is in immediate danger, the respondent will be arrested, otherwise he/she will be given a notice to appear in court.”

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Media Enquiries: 

Cayla Ann Tomás Murray
Spokesperson for Minister Albert Fritz
Tel: 021 483 9217
Cell: 064 121 7959
Email: Cayla.murray@westerncape.gov.za