Community and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) voiced anger on Tuesday over the disbanding of several Gauteng police protection units.
”We have worked so hard and for so long to establish an environment where victims of abuse feel safe enough to report, and this disbandment reverses what we’ve done,” said Miranda Friedmann, director of Women and Men against Child Abuse.
Friedmann was joined by representatives from the Teddy Bear Clinic, Chworanong and Childline at a media briefing in Johannesburg.
”Children and community members will not get the same service that they are used to,” said Shaeda Omar, spokesperson for the Teddy Bear Clinic.
Omar said police officers were not sufficiently trained to deal with the trauma experienced in abuse.
Meanwhile, numerous invitations to the South African Police Service to supply documents giving reasons for the disbandment were ignored.
”All of this confusion and stress could have been avoided if they [the police] would have included us in their research before disbanding the specialised units.”
Although specific details on the number of units closed could not be confirmed, Friedmann placed the figure at between 46 and 49 units in the province. She said with the exception of Ikhaya Lethemba, all units would be closed.
”The commissioner of police has seen our attempts as NGOs, which provide a free service to victims, as some sort of advertising initiative. It feels like a slap in the face because here we are providing a service as dedicated community members who try to help those who have been abused.” — Sapa