In Stellenbosch, Cape Town, the Western Cape Social Development MEC; Sharna Fernandez; welcomed the opening of a new Thuthuzela Care Centre.

Over 21,000 individuals received psychosocial support from Thuthuzela Care Centres in the Western Cape every year since 2019. This centre is now one of nine that are operating across the province.

Included in the various services offered to help and support rape victims is medical treatment, counselling, as well as legal services. This comes after Stellenbosch appeared in the top 30 stations in the province for the reporting of rape cases, according to the third quarter crime statistics.

Fernandez said, “This facility will also be a haven and a lifeline to many victims of gender-based violence. It is thus important that we maintain effective working relationships to ensure no one in need of support is left behind.”

Darul Ihsan Media Desk