The LGBTIQ community is worried about its rights.
This especially when they are arrested.
They say they don’t want to be put in the same cells as hardened criminals – their fear is that they might be taken advantage of.
On Friday, Gauteng Province Districts Saps Women’s network and Men for Change invited the community to hear their views.
The conversations were in line with the Constitution and the promotion of human rights.
Captain Nelda Sekgobela of Ekurhuleni police district said the event was meant to affirm their support to gays, lesbians, transgender, bisexuals and the community at large.
The event was held at Sam Ntuli Stadium in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni. It was organised by Ekurhuleni District’s newly appointed champion, Brigadier Nkhensani Lemba and the Germiston Saps Station Commander.
The National Women’s network Champion and Ekurhuleni District Commissioner Major General Anna Sithole, joined by senior officers in Ekurhuleni, were in attendance.
The pledge to end gender-based violence and femicide was signed by Sithole, Provincial men for change Champion, Lieutenant Colonel Mzwandile Jika and a representative from Skeem GP (NGO) in Katlehong, Duma Tsotetsi.
“Some of the gay and lesbian members raised concerns and made police understand their rights when they are arrested and when there is a need to search them.”
In her speech, Sithole urged Saps members to take the raised concerns seriously.
The event was sponsored by Old Mutual. Saps donated food parcels to the community and Skeem GP donated 4 000 tinned baked beans, peas and peanut butter to the local team of patrollers.
