The managing director of the Campuses and Schools Safety Training Institute (CASSTI), Mr Stephen Ngobeni, has urged students at institutions of higher learning such as universities and TVET Colleges to get more involved in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) and be pioneers for the cause.
"We want students to collect the statistics of GBV cases and relate it to the university and the police to help those who are hiding to come out and report GBV cases. Students should be getting involved in issues affecting them and be pioneers of GBV tolerance and encourage others to do their part," said Ngobeni.
Ngobeni was speaking during the launch of the Campus Community Safety Programme, held at Univen's Faculty of Education Hall on Thursday, 13 April. The programme forms part of the SAPS's community- and campus-centred policing, which aims to create a crime-free environment conducive for learning.
Univen's vice-chancellor and principal, Dr Bernard Nthambeleni, said they were excited to host this important initiative to launch the programme along with the South African Police Service, Campus and School Safety Training Institute, Vhembe TVET College, and communities surrounding the respective institutions.
Nthambeleni said that, in September 2019, the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola, had visited the Univen campus after the official opening of the Sexual Offences Court in Thohoyandou.
"During his visit, he informed us that the greater Vhembe District Municipality has recorded the highest increase of incidents of gender-based violence in the entire Limpopo Province, with more than 13 000 cases reported in the form of murder, domestic violence, sexual violence, rape and assault. This was very disturbing news to hear because, as the University of Venda, we form part of this community, and this community is a part of us. The bad image of Vhembe's community is also a bad reflection on us. The University of Venda is a community that consists of over 16 000 students and 994 staff members. We are not insulated from the problems and challenges that affect our societies. We are part of these communities, and what happens to them has a direct impact on us," he said.