Khayelitsha Eastern Sub-Structure (KESS) of the Western Cape Department of Health and other local organisation celebrated World Aids Day in style as they held a peaceful march from Khayelitsha District Hospital (KDH) to Harare Police Station and Khayelitsha Magistrates’ Court to handover a memorandum of grievances on Thursday 1 December.
The event aimed to commemorate those who died from HIV/Aids.
KESS director James Kruger described the occasion as an annual event. He said the health department is trying to forge ties with other government institutions and local organisations to fight the stigma against HIV/Aids.
“Also, we want to ensure that we stand together to fight against gender-based violence (GBV).
“We are saying no against women and child abuse,” said Kruger.
He stated that they want to build a solid relationship with the police.
Khayelitsha Health Forum chair Mzanywa Ndibongo said they fully support the programme. He urged the community to unite against GBV.
“GBV affects both genders. However, most men find it difficult to report GBV cases to police stations because the officers laugh at them. We need both genders to be treated equally,” he said.
Ndibongo also urged the people to prioritise their health. He said they must stop defaulting on their treatment.
HIV/Aids activist Siphosihle Gomomo from Mfuleni described the event as a special and very important day. She described the event as part of raising awareness about HIV/Aids. Gomomo said many people died because of the stigma.
“I have 23 years of living with HIV. I’m healthy because I’m taking my antiretroviral. People must stop defaulting with their tablets because they are putting their lives in danger,” she said.
Harare police station commander Col Junaid Alcock received the memorandum citing that they acknowledged it.
He said they will ensure that every GBV victim that is coming into the station will not walk out without the necessary assistance. He said almost all the cases that were reported to the station are before the court.
“The victims must stop reporting the case and withdraw it again to protect the perpetrator,” he concluded.