NORTHERN CAPE. – The South African Police Service (SAPD) in the Northern Cape is calling on women to be vigilant and take extra precautions amid serious and violent crime against women being reported across the country.
Col. Cherelle Ehlers, spokesperson for the Northern Cape SAPD, says women must be aware of potential safety risks and take reasonable precautionary measures to protect their personal safety.
The SAPD advises women not to walk alone where it can be avoided, to be cautious when strangers approach them, and to pay attention to unfamiliar or suspicious vehicles and people in their surroundings.
Women are also advised to use well-lit and busy streets, where possible to travel in groups, and to choose main roads rather than isolated routes. They should also let a trusted person know where they are going and when they expect to be back.
The SAPD says people must trust their instinct and leave situations that make them feel unsafe. Motorists must lock their vehicle doors as soon as they get in.
If a woman suspects she is being followed while driving, she should drive to the nearest police station or another safe and busy place, rather than going directly home.
Police also recommend sharing a live location or travel plan with a trusted friend or family member when women are on the road or walking somewhere. Women should further avoid walking with earphones or earbuds at high volume, as this can limit their awareness of their surroundings.
The SAPD says recent reports of missing persons are concerning; investigations into missing persons remain a priority.
There is no waiting period before a missing person can be reported to police. The SAPD emphasises that swift reporting and immediate response can be important in locating a missing person safely.
When someone is missing, the person must be reported immediately to the nearest police station. If possible, a recent photograph of the missing person should be provided, along with details of where the person was last seen and a description of the clothes the person was wearing.
The SAPD 55(A) form must be completed and signed. The form helps the SAPD verify the missing person report and provides permission for the distribution of the person's photograph.
The family or reporter must also obtain the investigating officer's contact details and provide any further information that could help the investigation to the officer.
If the missing person is found or voluntarily returns home, the investigating officer must be notified immediately.
The SAPD is calling on communities to remain vigilant, take reasonable precautionary measures, and report any suspicious activity or persons to police without delay.
Source: SAPD
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
