Sport against GBVF campaign continues ZF Mcgawu District

The Sports Against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) programme continued today in Upington in the ZF Mcgawu District.

The programme was again executed in three phases to address GBVF as one of the activities in creating awareness.

GBVF was identified by the Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Otola as one her three priorities which she will be robustly preventing and combating.

The initiative was spearheaded by the Provincial Head, Pro Active Policing, Brig Irene Kopeledi in conjunction with relevant departments, police components and units.

The event started at the Paballelo High school, where the following stakeholders including the ZFM district office, the District CPF, District Departments of Education, Transport, Safety and Liaison (DTSL), Community in blue patrollers delivered in their respective messages of support and encouraged the scholars to stay away from crime.

The team under the leadership of Maj Gen Besnaar also handed over comfort toiletry packs to the head girl and boy of the school in the presence of the school principal.

During the second phase, Maj Gen Besnaar handed over furniture to five identified ZFM police stations that will be utilized in the victim friendly facilities to assist GBVF victims visiting the Community Service Centres.

He also handed over a brand new Suzuki Dzire vehicle to the Acting Danielskuil Station Commander that will be utilized for crime fighting in that area.

Phase three concluded at the Dicky Jacobs Sports Ground with a formal programme and a soccer tournament.

Maj Gen Besnaar who represented the Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Otola thanked the multi-sectoral stakeholders.

The community at large were encouraged to keep on fighting the GBVF scourge.

General Besnaar applauded the South African Police Service, departments, the soccer teams and the community present for their collective efforts to eradicate GBVF in our communities and reiterated that this programme of sports against GBVF in Upington continues to build partnerships with stakeholders to stand together. He reiterated that a Child in sport, is a child out of court.

The District CPF chairperson, Mr Baai also encouraged the community to continue being the eyes and ears of the SAPS as partnership police works and ensures safe and secure neighbourhoods.

Mr Grond, who represented the Department Transport, Safety and Liaison was excited about what transpired and committed to the community that they will work with the SAPS in all GBVF and other crime fighting programmes and activities.

A total of six teams namely the SANDF, SAPS, Department of Correctional Services, Dawid Kruiper Municipality, Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison and the Upington City Football Club participated in the soccer tournament.

The final match was played between SANDF and SAPS and the SANDF was ultimately crowned the overall winners. All teams received medals and a floating trophy was handed over to the winning team.

Sports against GBVF rolled out in four of the five districts already and the campaign is focused on forging partnerships with SAPS and the community to fight crime together.

The programme will be hosted on 24 May 2023 in Kuruman in the John Taolo Gaetsewe district.

Source: South African Police Service