Stellenbosch police have recently experienced an increase in domestic violence and say they are very concerned about the violent crimes taking place in the community of Stellenbosch.
The following cases were reported.
In a case of common assault made on 22 January, around 03:22, at Elsenburg a woman was beaten by her ex-boyfriend outside of her house. “The victim was at home when her ex-boyfriend arrived and wanted to talk to her,” said police spokesperson Capt Natalie Martin.
“She refused to talk to him and he then grabbed her and pulled her outside the house. He started beating her with his open hand all over her body. He only stopped beating her when he saw the police vehicle. A common assault case is under investigation.”
In another common assault case opened on 23 January at 00:30 at Nkanini, Kayamandi a woman was beaten by her husband. “The victim was at home drinking with her husband and felt as if she was going to be sick,” Martin related. “She then went outside and fell asleep at the door of the house. After a few minutes she went into the bedroom. Her husband accused her of sleeping with other men and started hitting her with his fists.”
She said the victim’s daughter had tried to stop him and the victim ran out to the police station. “On her way there she saw people standing and smoking. She then turned back. She went to the backyard of the house where she slept. According to the victim it was not the first time the suspect assaulted her. The victim opened a case of common assault.”
Also on 23 January, around 20:15, at Mdala Street, Kayamandi, another woman was beaten by her boyfriend.
“The victim was at home when her boyfriend who resides with her, arrived drunk,” said Martin. “He told her he was hungry and she ignored him, because they had an argument the previous night. She wanted to talk about the argument they had and he kept on asking her for food.
“He then got angry and started hitting her with his fist all over her body. The victim sat on the sofa and covered her face while the suspect kicked her. The victim eventually got a chance to contact her mother and the suspect then stopped assaulting her.” According to the victim this was not the first time the suspect assaulted her.
Another common assault incident happened on 23 January at 22:00 at Mountain View House, Jamestown. The complainant was at home when her boyfriend came home. He started insulting her because he was drunk. “The suspect then hit her with his fist in her face, on her forehead and chin. A common assault case was opened by the victim and is under investigation.”
On 24 January at 08:00 at Kayamandi another woman was beaten by her husband. “The victim was at home when her husband was chasing her daughter out of the house. The victim told him that her daughter is not going anywhere. This was when the suspect hit the victim with his fist. The daughter tried to stop him and he hit them both with his fist. They both ran outside the house and called the police. The victim layed a charge of common assault.”
Defeating gender-based violence requires a collective approach, says Martin. “Violence in the private space cannot be detected by the police for assistance and intervention unless it is reported to the police. This means more work needs to be done to ensure the safety of all those who live within the community of Stellenbosch.”
Martin says gender-based violence can be reported through the GBV Command Centre or directly to the police at the police station. “Neighbours are often aware of domestic disruptions that are violent and in which people are being hurt,” he said. “This happens through screams, cries for help, sounds of blows, gunshots and so on.
“Friends, relatives or someone within the shared residence should alert the police about abuse on behalf of the victim. Develop a safety plan and an exit plan such as keeping numbers for neighbours, relatives and anyone that can assist you on speed dial.”
Martin encourages people to keep and share the contact list of emergency numbers such as the local police station, police sector patrol vans, community police forums and other law agencies, ambulance, shelters and GBV hotlines.
REPORT
CRIME HERE
:
GBV Command centre – 0800 428 428
Childline Toll Free – 0800 055 555
Human Trafficking Hotline – 0800 222 777
Stellenbosch police – 021 809 5012/15.
