Limpopo Police Commissioner Thembi Hadebe has noted a significant increase in the number of gender-based violence (GBV) cases being reported, highlighting growing trust in the police and justice systems.
Speaking at the provincial launch of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign in Moletjie, outside Polokwane, Hadebe emphasized the importance of awareness campaigns in encouraging survivors to come forward.
“The more we raise awareness, the more people trust the system and come forward to report their experiences. Many of these cases date back two, three, or even five years, showing that our efforts are enabling victims to break their silence,” said Hadebe.
While some in the community interpret the rising number of reported cases as an increase in crime, Hadebe stressed that it reflects progress in empowering survivors.
“What this tells us is that our systems are working. The community, particularly women, are gaining trust in the police and feel more confident about reporting these crimes,” she added.
The 16 Days of Activism campaign aims to raise awareness, drive prevention efforts, and encourage reporting of GBV cases. Police and community organizations are working together to ensure survivors receive the support they need.
This year’s campaign underscores the importance of building trust and creating safe spaces for victims to report abuse, as authorities continue to tackle gender-based violence in the province.