GBV rapid response team established in Tshwane
Tshwane has established a gender-based violence (GBVF) regional rapid response task team as a crucial step towards addressing the ongoing scourge of GBV in the metro.
This initiative aligns with the national government's commitment to the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (2020-2030), which calls for coordinated, multisectoral action at all levels of society.
Recognising the urgent need for faster, more targeted interventions, the metro has prioritised the creation of rapid response teams to ensure victims of violence receive immediate support and protection.
The new Tshwane GBV Rapid Response Task Team is made up of representatives from a broad range of sectors.
These include local government officials, law enforcement agencies, health and medical services, social services, the justice system, education, civil society and non-governmental organisations, traditional and faith-based leaders, community-based organisations, shelter and safe house representatives, and advisory experts.
Tshwane MMC for Community and Social Development Services, Palesa Modise, said the team's core mandate is to strengthen collaboration between government departments and community stakeholders, ensuring a coordinated approach to service delivery.
She said their responsibilities include providing immediate support to victims of GBVF by facilitating access to emergency healthcare, legal assistance, safe accommodation, and psychological services.
'Beyond responding to individual cases, the task team will play a vital role in promoting accountability and information sharing.
'They will provide timely reports to authorities about emerging trends, incidents, and community needs, allowing for a proactive approach to preventing violence before it escalates,' said Modise.
Modise said the team also aims to raise awareness within communities about the realities of GBV and the resources available to victims.
By working closely with local organisations, schools, and faith-based groups, they will drive education initiatives that challenge harmful gender norms and empower survivors.
'The rapid response task team's objectives are clear: to ensure swift access to services for victims, to coordinate key stakeholders for a seamless support network, to investigate and prevent further acts of violence, and to promote preventative measures across municipalities.'
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Health outreach campaign targets men and youth in Alexandra
Region E health and youth sector launched a mobile health outreach campaign at Kwabhekilanga Sports Ground on June 20. It brought vital services like HIV testing and counselling, TB screening, family planning, and health education to the community. The campaign aimed to reach those least likely to set foot in a clinic, including young people, but despite the visibility and intent, attendance from the primary target was underwhelming. Read more: Efforts to mobilise men against GBV and spread of HIV continue 'We expected a little bit more youth, but even though we did not see more of them, they did show up. Also, we just wanted the community around the area, especially children, because we know they are no longer going to school,' multisectoral co-ordinator in Region E Lerato Malemela shared. Malemela reflected on the country's 'Close The Gap' campaign, which seeks to shrink the HIV treatment gap by bringing 1.1 million people into treatment. She said the outreach is part of Region E health's efforts to reduce that gap. At the launch of the HIV treatment Gap campaign in Soweto on February 25, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi revealed that men remain behind in taking HIV/Aids treatment, noting that the gap is mostly comprised of men. Since then, the Father a Nation (FAN) organisation in Alexandra has been engaging with men and encouraging them to close the gap. FAN member, the Stepping Tennis Foundation member, and co-organiser of the outreach campaign Sibusiso Shongwe said the campaign was intended to focus on that demographic of men. 'So, what we have seen at the FAN men's forum is that men are afraid to go to the health facilities. They are scared of queuing at the clinics. Here, there are no queues, they just walk in, receive services, and leave. That is why we decided that we should bring the clinic to them.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
Pretoria hospitals prioritised for winter infrastructural upgrades
The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has prioritised upgrading winter-related equipment throughout its facilities to accommodate heavy usage at this time. Steve Biko Academic, Pretoria West, and Kalafong Provincial Tertiary hospitals were among the local facilities which received these upgrades. The department said it has prioritised infrastructure such as boilers, chillers, heat pumps and air conditioners, all of which age and come under pressure during winter. Last month, several facilities reported breakdowns in their boiler systems, resulting in an inconsistent supply of hot water. The department has since said its contractors are on standby to respond to emergencies and were able to restore the systems of all affected facilities. 'The reality we are facing is that critical equipment such as boilers, chillers, heat pumps, and air conditioners is old and has not been serviced appropriately for a long time. This is one of the reasons we have now capacitated the departmental infrastructure unit so that it can implement the maintenance programme in-house,' said Health and Wellness MEC, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko. Nkomo-Ralehoko added that the department has set aside R100-million in the current financial year to recapitalise critical equipment across facilities. Pretoria West Hospital experienced leaking pipes, while Kalafong and Steve Biko hospitals were among the facilities reporting issues with their calorifiers (water tankers that heat and store water for later use), which have since been resolved. The department assured residents that its recapitalisation programme is currently underway and is instrumental in reducing further breakdowns, and thanked them for their patience. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Local organisation donates warm clothes to child welfare
A local organisation donated warm clothes and soup for children from Tshwane Child Welfare Mamelodi on Friday. Ditlalemeso Foundation made the donations to keep vulnerable children warm this winter. Gloria Mangena from Tshwane Child Welfare Mamelodi said the donations came at the time of need. She said the foundation had been very supportive of their children protection programme by donating warm clothes and soup. 'The donations will go to children who we came across in need of material assistance and some of these children attend our Orphan and Vulnerable Children [programme],' said Mangena. 'It's winter, and we are working hand in hand with grandmothers, unemployed aunts, and uncles taking care of vulnerable children, and we will donate the clothes to them.' Bennit Maponya from the organisation said this was not the first time they donated to the Child Welfare. 'As an organisation, we thought we should take a stand and do something for children who come from disadvantaged families. 'We chose to start with Child Welfare, because their mandate is to protect children, and they are helping a lot of families in Mamelodi,' said Maponya. He said they collected clothes from the community, friends, and families, and hoped the clothes would keep children warm this cold winter. 'We are also here to build a lasting relationship with the centre, whereby we have a soup kitchen once a week.' Maponya said Child Welfare is one of their beneficiaries because they look after vulnerable children in Mamelodi. 'Donating unwanted clothes is also part of giving back to the community,' he said. He added that the foundation's clothing drive aims to dress the less fortunate in winter and beyond. The organisation also pleaded with the public to help donate school uniforms and clothes for all ages. It also keeps chronic patients warm in winter while waiting for the clinic to open by providing them with warm nutritious vegetable soup and bread to fill up their stomachs while standing in long lines and before taking their medication. 'We don't want to see elderly people and chronic patients waking up as early as 03:00 with freezing hands and cold feet in winter season,' said Maponya. 'Our mission is to see Mamelodi have a good, healthy community.' Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
