12 Nov 2025

In the quiet communities under the Thamaga police jurisdiction, an insidious problem has taken root, evolving from an occasional blight into a deep and painful wound.

Gender-based-violence (GBV), once an issue whispered about behind closed doors, is now a public health and safety crisis, a relentless ‘thorn in the flesh’ that threatens the very fabric of local life. 

Official police statistics, recently presented at a community workshop, confirm the worst fears - defilement, rape and even murder cases are escalating at an alarming rate.

This stark reality was the focus of a recent GBV workshop organised by the Fraternal Body of Christ in Mmankgodi at Moon Light Gardens, where official figures laid bare the scale of the problem.

Inspector Patricia Diraditsile, representing the police, presented statistics that painted a worrying picture of escalation compared to the previous year. To date, Insp. Diraditsile said defilement cases had hit 21, with rape cases close behind at 19.

The violence, she said, was not confined to sexual offenses, adding that the report tragically included three murder cases and 19 threats to kill, which showed the extreme dangers facing residents.

“The numbers show a worrying escalation,” she added, as she expressed concern for the safety of residents, particularly women and children, within her jurisdiction.

Insp. Diraditsile did not stop at statistics, but pointed to underlying societal issues fuelling the crisis.

She highlighted the growing concern of missing person cases, which she attributed to ‘wayward behaviour amongst children,’ and believed was often exacerbated by drug and substance abuse. It was on such a backdrop that she encouraged families to work with the police.

“We call on parents and guardians to work with the police to instil moral values in children. cooperation and increased vigilance between the police and the community are essential,” she urged. 

The workshop also served as a vital platform to unite community leaders and stakeholders. 

In his opening address, Member of Parliament for Gabane/Mmankgodi, Mr Kagiso Mmusi, underscored the devastating impact of GBV.

Mr Mmusi described GBV as a ‘thorn in the flesh for many families,’ which left some to mourn lost loved ones while many others were left with permanent scars. He emphasised that addressing the violence was a collective responsibility.

“The time has come that all take responsibility and stop violence of any form to create a safe place for children and women. GBV needs everyone to be hands-on in the community and be on the lookout for each other to protect and save lives,” he said.

The MP applauded the Bahurutshe and the organisers for hosting the educational platform, saying sensitising the community was the first step toward change.

For his part, the organising committee chairperson, Pastor Kgosana Rathari, explained that the workshop was born from the backdrop of increasing GBV cases which continued to bring instability and stole the lives of people. Pastor Rathari said they felt that finger-pointing had to end and a unified approach was needed. 

He said the workshop theme, Safe homes, safe communities, stop violence, was a powerful appeal for every individual to take ownership of safety in their own homes and neighbourhoods.

Giving a perspective from the traditional justice system, Kgosi Lawrence Thobega of Mmankgodi village sparked a debate by suggesting that empowering chiefs to administer corporal punishment could be an effective measure in curbing rising GBV cases.

Kgosi Thobega contended that traditional leaders historically maintained order and discipline, noting that changes in laws which inhibited their ability to execute corporal punishment had caused more harm than good.

He urged policy makers to strengthen the traditional justice system, arguing that chiefs were on the frontline, dealing with numerous GBV cases reported by men, women and children. For Kgosi Thobega, empowering local chiefs was a necessary step to address social ills before the problem spiralled out of control.

The workshop ended with a powerful consensus, whether through modern policing, community engagement or traditional justice, the fight against GBV in Thamaga required commitment and cooperation of every resident. ENDS