This month the North-West University (NWU) welcomes first years and returning students to its campuses. While various forums have been put in place to improve student safety, especially that of female students, rolling electricity blackouts are likely to create an environment conducive to crime flourishing.
We are fortunate that the late Prof Marilyn Setlalentoa, who was the NWU deputy vice-chancellor for Community Engagement and Mahikeng Campus Operations, was passionate about dealing with issues of crime affecting students and their safety at this university.
Under her leadership, our campus managers were challenged to seek creative ways to address rising crime against our (mainly female) students on campus and in places such as Dibate, Montshioa and the like. Various multi-stakeholder campaigns to fight gender-based violence (GBV) have been and will continue to be launched.
As leaders, NWU managers are mindful of the reality that, as the SAPS has reminded us time and time again, crime is a societal responsibility, which is why the importance of community policing forums cannot be overemphasised. We must all report crime where we see it. We cannot afford to turn a blind eye.
At campus level, all NWU managers have taken hands and student leaders are also doing their bit to stem the tide of violence against female students. Should any of our students be the victims of GBV, such incidents should be reported to the NWU Department of Protection Services, which will liaise with the law enforcement authorities.
As we welcome students back on campus, let us remind them to take practical steps to curb possible incidents of violence by, for example, walking in groups, avoiding dark, ill-lit and secluded areas and reporting all acts of violence to Protection Services.
Women who are attacked must press criminal charges with the SAPS and should see these through to ensure that the fight against GBV can continue. They will be supported to ensure the charges are followed up.
The time to intensify the fight against GBV is now.
“Wathint' Abafazi, Wathint' Imbokodo” (you strike the women, you strike the rock)
