Police conduct self-defence workshops

Community members were equipped with techniques by police officers on how to fend off armed criminals

Two members of the Bronville SAPS social crime prevention unit organised a self-defence workshop for community members in order to equip them with skills to ward off dangerous attacks from criminals.

The workshop was held at Bronville community centre last Friday. According to police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Malebo Khosana, community members comprising young people aged between 15 and 30, travelled from Mandela Park in Sector 1 and Ext 15, 20 and 21 situated in Sector 3.

These two sectors are under command and control of Warrant Officer Dennis Wangra and Constable Tshidi Mokhuamathe respectively. Mokhuamathe kick-started the workshop by introducing the role players, including Ashley Abrahams, who is a renowned black belt karate expert and the members from Thabong family violence, child protection and sexual offences unit (FCS).

“The crimes reported in your streets in sector 1 and 3 are committed by attackers who are armed with knives. We want to assist to be prepared for any attack,’’ said Mokhuamathe. Abrahams said community members should be calm during an attack.

“When you are calm you can think fast and apply the correct technique to prevent the attacker from inflicting harm on you. Don’t panic because if you do you won’t be able to decide how to protect yourself.”

A circle was formed and Abrahams demonstrated the different techniques. Most of the people who attended the workshop were shocked to learn how easy it can be to fend off the attacker or even disarm a knife wielding attacker. After the demonstrations community members practiced the techniques on each other.

The FCS members, under the leadership of their commander Lieutenant Colonel Kedibone Gopane, addressed the members about the sexual offences procedures and also passed some safety hints. The procedures were fully explained by Warrant Officer Margaret Mpembe, while Gopane outlined the relevant safety tips.

Mpembe also showed the learners the types of sexual crime kits for both adults and minors. She explained the importance of being examined by medical practitioner after being raped.

“There are victims who refuse to be examined, which leads to the dismissal of a case. Others simply withdraw cases at court. These tendencies are making our work less easy as the state loses a lot of money on the equipment. What hurts most is that perpetrators of rape are not deterred from committing this heinous crime.”

Gopane reiterated the fact that the law protects all victims of rape irrespective of gender. “We no longer have a charge of sodomy, so men are also raped and they must refrain from keeping quiet about rape and report it. Ladies should refrain from walking alone at night while drunk as there are predators waiting to prey on them.

“Rather go with someone you trust and make sure that you are not accompanied by unknown persons you meet at the tavern or on the way. I am saying this because most of the cases we investigate are from people who were at taverns and after drinking too much, they end up being raped,” warned Gopane.