Siphokazi Fekisi|Published
A new victim-friendly room at Ndwedwe Police Station is intended to provide survivors of gender-based violence with more private and dignified access to police support.
The facility was officially opened and handed over on Tuesday, by Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Sihle Zikalala.
Zikalala said he had identified challenges faced by GBV victims during a visit to the area last year.
He said limited resources and inadequate facilities affected the support available to survivors.
“We observed the importance of having a victim-friendly room in a suitable and welcoming environment. We then engaged other stakeholders. This highlights the importance of collaboration among all sectors to bring about change,” he said.
Zikalala said the facility was intended to ensure survivors received timely care and assistance, rather than increase the number of reported cases.
“Our collective goal is to reduce the number of victims and work towards eliminating GBV and femicide. Communities must work together to fight crime and promote peace and safety,” he said.
Colonel Makhosi Dlamini of Ndwedwe Police Station welcomed the facility, saying officers previously worked in a small room that compromised victims’ privacy.
She said men who experienced abuse were also reluctant to report cases because they feared being overheard or ridiculed.
“Males are also being abused, but they don’t report the abuse because they are afraid of being heard by others and being laughed at,” Dlamini said.
Dlamini thanked the municipal leadership, Zikalala and other stakeholders for responding to the station’s needs.
Ndwedwe Municipality Mayor Sam Mfeka said the intervention followed concerns raised by Dlamini about inadequate working space, with officers sometimes forced to work outside in the sun when dealing with large numbers of people.
“We have witnessed the police working outside in the blazing sun. We then engaged with the deputy minister and asked for assistance, as that was not a conducive working environment,” Mfeka said.
Mfeka also urged community members to exercise their democratic right to vote in the November 4, 2026, elections, calling for patience, peace and tolerance.
Representing the Mavela Kingdom, a Mr Hlophe welcomed the facility, saying it would ease pressure on police officers and social workers, who previously faced space constraints. He added that the community shared responsibility for addressing challenges faced by law enforcement.
Dumisani Nzanze, a member of the Community Police Forum (CPF), said the forum continued to work closely with police to combat crime, including housebreaking and stock theft.
Nzanze said he intended to vote in the upcoming elections, describing voting as his democratic right, while expressing concerns about political parties’ support for CPF structures and service delivery.