Pretoria: Police Deputy Minister Polly Boshielo has declared that gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) cannot and must not be allowed to persist. During a GBVF march in Ivory Park, Tembisa, Boshielo highlighted the ongoing issues of violence against women, children, and the vulnerable, emphasizing the need for collective action to dismantle enabling systems.

According to South African Government News Agency, Boshielo stressed that the alarming rates of such violence create an environment of fear and insecurity in communities. She urged society to recognize the problem as a pandemic that requires a united front and decisive action against perpetrators.

Boshielo assured that the Justice, Crime Prevention, and Security (JCPS) cluster is working diligently to process cases of gender-based violence promptly. She emphasized the importance of sending a strong message that violence against women will not be tolerated and that perpetrators will be held accountable. Boshielo called on men to actively participate in the movement against gender-based violence, advocating for respect, safety, and equality.

The Deputy Minister encouraged all communities, particularly in Ivory Park and Tembisa, to report any form of criminality to the police, regardless of its perceived severity. She highlighted the importance of community involvement in crime prevention, stressing that no amount of police presence can effectively reduce crime without active community participation.

Boshielo concluded by urging communities to pledge to be proactive, vigilant, and united in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide. She called for collaboration with community policing forums and crime prevention wardens to prevent crime before it manifests.