WESTERN CAPE TOP COPS AWARDED

BEST FCS UNITS : Monique Strydom, Fiona Coyne (Guest Speaker), Capt Niewhout (Vredendal FCS), Supt VD Westhuizen (Delft FCS), Dir Brand

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT : Inspector Kock (middle)

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD : Flo Borchers (Middle)


SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD : Capt Mhaka with her bear

TOP FCS PERFORMERS

During the recent Matla A Bana WC FCS Incentive Awards hosted at the Vineyard Hotel in Cape Town, these top cops were awarded for outstanding service in protection the children. It was the rural units and investigators who stole the limelight – and the awards. The first prize for the Best Performer was taken by Inspector Payne, stationed at Beaufort West. He worked alone and investigated cases in a vast area. He has managed to get 80% cases to court (whilst working on his own). He secured 50 years of prison sentences for rape cases. He was investigated the high profile case of the pornographic videos of children which made news headlines on Special Assignment. In the case of Jan Links – who had 4 rape, 2 indecent assault and 2 kidnapping cases – the members worked for 7 months, often during the night and weekends to secure the arrest of this perpetrator.

The Outstanding Achievement award, for excellent investigation skills in one specific case was won by Inspector Kock and Sgt De Kock. These two members investigated the rape cases of a 12 year and a 5 year old girls. The ensured the arrest of Ockert Steyn and because of their thorough investigation managed to secure six life sentences.

The Delft FCS Unit walked away with the award for the Best FCS Unit Metropole, whilst the award for the Best Rural FCS Unit was won by the Vredendal Unit. Supt Thea VD Westhuizen took the award for the Best FCS Commander in the Western Cape.

One of the highlights of the day was the two awards in the Service Excellence section. This is awarded to police members or members of the public how have shown exceptional dedication in fighting child abuse. Captain Mhaka, a forensic social worker at Nyanga FCS, is one of the few Xhosa speaking social workers based at FCS Units. As a result of her dedication towards educating herself and working at various other units, she has developed herself as an expert witness and has contributed to various successful prosecutions. Mrs Flo Borchers (Friends of Child Protection) was the first civilian in the Western Cape to receive this awards. She is responsible for the packing and distribution of hundreds of comfort packs to the police and hospitals. These packs are given to child abuse and rape victims when they report crimes. Both these ladies received a speaking ( “I love you”) Build-A-Bear collectors bear.

We would like to thank all our sponsors for your generous support:

VINEYARD HOTEL

DE OUDE HERBERG

PINELANDS CITY LODGE

NANDOS

BUILD A BEAR
TIME ZONE (CLEARWATER MALL)
MANGWANANI SPA

DIR BRAND, MS SUZANNE HIMLEY, MONIQUE STRYDOM & FIONA COYNE
Rotary Claremont surprised WC MAB staff by handing over a cheque of more than R 150 000 for various projects. MAB will use these funds to create a MAB Child Friendly Facility at Nyanga FCS (the first in the WC), train doctors in Cape Town on Forensic Medical Examination, print a "Share your secret" Flyer for children who report crimes and host the MAB Incentive Awards. We would like to thank Rotary Claremont and specifically - Peter Rogers and Suzanne Himley for believing in us!

R1 million or R 30?

A recent research document by Solidarity shows that a child is raped every 4 minutes. Unfortunately very few of those crimes are reported.

Matla A Bana has been working since 2002 to help the thousands of raped and abused children who report the crimes against them, Last year we helped more than 3000 children through our various projects.

In order to help another 3000 children this year, we will need R1 million. It sounds like a lot of money, but in effect it will only take R 333 to help one child or a monthly contribution of R 30 will help us to help that one child.

If you would like to assist us, please email me on matlawc@mweb.co.za.

We are a registered charity and Absa Trust is the manager of our funds – so your donation is in save hands and will be used to help these children. We will also issue a Form 18A at the end of the year – which means your donation is tax deductible – so rather help us than give your funds to SARS!

Please read more on all our projects on http://mabnews.blogspot.com.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and hope to get that email from you!

Monique Strydom

WC NEWS

During a meeting hosted by the WC SAPS Provincial Office, Commissioner Petros, once again gave his committement to keeping the specialized services of the FCS Units. Of great concern however is the stress level and trauma experienced by the members of these units. Commissioner Petros referred to the recent case of the 3 year old baby who was kidnapped, raped and stabbed to death, and his concern for the members having to deal with this kind of trauma on a daily basis.

MAB has agreed to look at training programs to address this issue in the next year. MAB was also asked to assist the Gender Justice Forum with their training program. It is becoming more and more important to assist the police in equipping members with soft skills.

BID OR BUY auction great success!

Our celebrity auction on Bid or buy, closed last night with a profit of more than R 16000! We would like to thank http://www.bidorbuy.co.za for hosting this auction for charities. Not only did this help us raise much needed funds, but also helped us to profile our charity. A great thank you also to all our celebrities who took part. And then to all the bidders - thank you for your generous support! We know you will have fab dates with these stars!!

Own a celebrity!

Help us by bidding some of the best celebrities in South Africa. They will donate their time and talents to help raise funds for MAB. With Steve Hofmeyer, Cornelius Bosch, Annie Malan, Edith Venter, Leon Schuster, Pieter Dirk Uys, Evita, Fiona Coyne, Leanne Mannas.
Go to : http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/ to place your bid!

Listen also to Evita on why you should bid http://www.youtube.com/user/MABnews

THANK YOU VODACOM!

On Friday, 12 June, Vodacom officially handed over the first of 2000 comfort packs for child abuse victims in the Western Cape. The donation handed over by Vodacom representative Priscilla Damane to Commissioner Petros.

The comfort pack project in the Western Cape is a combined effort between Friends of Child Protection (who will also pack and distribute the packs for MAB), You Magazine and MAB. Each of these groups will supply packs for various age groups. Once again a great example on how communities, NGO and companies can work together to help others!

CONGRATULATIONS MAB STUDENTS!

Annemarie Voster (Sanlam), Leonore Louw (Reach Africa), Commissioner Petros, Monique Strydom, Carol Van Der Rheede (HCI Foundation) and FCS Commanders














Leonore Louw (Reach Africa), Commissioner Petros, Monique Strydom, Carol Van Der Rheede (HCI Foundation) and SAPS Cluster Commanders













Annemarie Voster (Sanlam), Commissioner Petros, Monique Strydom, Carol Van Der Rheede (HCI Foundation) and FCS Constables

On Friday, 12 June, close to a hundred proud SAPS FCS members received their certificates for training done by MAB. During the awards ceremony, Commissioner Petros, “joined” the MAB team, by calling himself a part of the MAB family. He also recognised the important work MAB is doing in assisting child abuse victims. During the last year MAB trained more than 100 police officers in the Western Cape. This training included Child Protection Protocols, various soft skills (like conflict management and client service) and mentorship courses. The group included a broad spectrum of the WC police force, from student constables to top WC SAPS management. The value of this training is estimated to be close to a million Rand. The officers will now be able to use these skills not only to investigate crimes, but also to mentor other officers and share valuable knowledge.

We would like to thank Sanlam and Santam for sponsoring the event and our main training sponsors for this training possible:

NYANGA FCS SERVED!

Hanlie sharing about God's love. Two men from two worlds becoming brothers!

A very special visit took place at Nyanga FCS two weeks ago. The home cell group of Burger VD Merwe (Familia Christi) who adopted this unit, not only “served” the members with great snacks, but they also "served" spiritual support. Hanlie Marais shared a powerful message about God’s love and their calling to protect our children and help our abused children. The rest of the morning Hanlie and the group spent ministering to individual members. It was indeed a blessed morning, not only for the members, but also to those who served them!

CHILDREN SHOW SUPPORT

On Tuesday, 27 May 2009, the children of Dwergieland Nursery School were proud to participate and show their support during child protection week for abused, orphaned, vulnerable and abandoned children. Antonie of the SAPS Dog Unit was there to offer some entertainment and demonstration of the behaviour of the dogs they train.

After the demonstration the children moved on to the Piazza, Clear Water Mall, where they performed the Green Ribbon ceremony and threw coins in the centre of the ribbon to show support for abused children. They completed their morning with breakfast at Café Fino.

We would like to thank our sponsors of the day: Clear Water Mall, Café Fino, King Pie (Clear Water Mall) and SAPS.

A comforting comfort pack story

This office would like to sent our honest appreciation for the Vodacom comfort packs.
On Monday I have a 9 year old victim in a sexual assault case here in Malmesbury.

The girl was not in the mood to speak out neither being part of a long and boaring questioning session. The shy girl was only hope for the ending of our discussion to go home and I remember of our comfort packs.

I took out the Vodacom one and put it on my table.I think she knew this parcel have something to do with her. The girl respond to my questions,she sort of awake from her sleep and the bad experience.

She opened the bag,have a good look into it as if she cannot believe all is her’s. She told me the experience she has at the school,we make contact with the other children,we even have an
interview with the schoolprincipal and complete my investigation within 3 hours. The suspect was a 9 year old boy at the same school and was dealt with by the school authorites and the who visit the school the next day.

The community of Abbotsdale was shocked of the incident but praise the investigation officer by impress the victim.

Thank you Matla Abana and Vodacom for your help.


D/INSP. W ARENDSE
FCS MALMESBURY

Vodacom Comfort Pack Project

The culmination of Matla a Bana's (MAB) Child Protection Week (25 May 2009- 01 June 2009) ended with the of Launch Vodacom Comfort Pack project on 01 June 2009. Vodacom Foundation donated more than R 400 000 to MAB for the production of comfort packs to be handed to child-victims when they report crimes at SAPS. These packs contain immediate comfort goods like a soft toy, refreshments, soap and cloth, sanitary pads etc.

MAB would like to thank the volunteers of the day and also Yebo Heroes of the Vodacom Foundation.

SERVICE OF HOPE AND BLESSING

Luc & Ninah tying the green ribbons

On 31 May 2009 a special Service of Hope and Blessing was hosted at Gardens Presbyterian Church.  During this service three candles were lit by VIP guest, Commissioner Ntobela, one for the children of the world, one for the children of South Africa and the Western Cape and one for all those people who work to protect them. After the service guests took part in a Green Ribbon Ceremony, during which green ribbons and prayers were tied to trees and fences in the street.

 

This service was a joint initiative of Friends of Child Protection, Connect Network and Matla A Bana, in celebration of Child Protection Week.

Doctors and police celebrate

Congratulations!!!

FCS Detectives with VIP guest, Commissioner Ntobela

Child Protection Week brought more celebrations when the doctors and police officers who recently completed the Forensic Medical Examination Course received their certificates. MAB hosted this course in April for doctors of the Paarl Hospitals and FCS members to assist them to understand the forensic examination of rape and abuse victims better.

We would like to thank Dr Tromp Els, Adv Mark Kenny, Dr Jacobus Louw and our sponsors, HCI Foundation, AVIS, Oude Herberg and Lorraine Feuw Interiors for making this possible!

A Calendar day with Bosch

Above: Cornelius Bosch with Deon Roux(Business man)

For those who had the privilege to be at Clear Water Mall on the weekend of 23 May 2009, would have been proud to see Cornelius Bosch display his art work on his Birth day. This happened during the day at the piazza by the CNA entrance. He was there along with his Mother (82) showing support to the malls adopted charity Matla a Bana.

Matla a Bana (MAB) was there to exhibit and also selling their Child’s Rights calendars and key rings to raise funds and awareness for the work they do with Child protection week from 26 May 2009 to 01 June 2009. The calendar was launched in December and show cases the artwork of 12 artists, including Bosch, donated to this specific project.

Lynette from Art Window supplied the exhibitors with 3 of the most beautiful chairs and a Persian carpet to complete their little spot. Hansie Hofmann of the Meat Co sponsored a meal for Bosch and his mom. Deon Roux, owner of the furniture shop in Clearwater and Classic Baroque Flowers, showed his support to Matla a Bana and has now joined the ranks and become a friend of MAB.