Launch of Mitchell's Plain Thuthuzela Care Centre to Combat Gender-Based Violence

The South African community of Mitchell's Plain is set to benefit from the opening of a new Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) dedicated to supporting victims of gender-based violence (GBV). Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr. Andries Nel, together with the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv. Shamila Batohi, marked the official launch of the centre at the local Mitchell’s Plain Hospital in the Western Cape on Monday, August 19, 2024.

This vital facility represents the 65th operational TCC in South Africa, illustrating a significant growth from 55 centres in 2021. Thuthuzela Care Centres are crucial to the national strategy aiming to curb the harrowing statistics of GBV. They are designed to offer a consolidated package of critical services under one roof – ranging from psychosocial support to medical provision and legal assistance, with a focus on delivering these services in a way that is centred around the victims' needs.

The TCC model, introduced in 2001 by the NPA's Sexual Offences and Community Affairs Unit (SOCA), seeks to improve on three main fronts: providing holistic and compassionate care to survivors, minimizing secondary victimization, and increasing the prosecution and conviction rates of perpetrators. This aligns with the South African government's pledge to address the GBV epidemic with both preventative measures and robust legal responses.

The multi-disciplinary nature of these centres is their core strength, as they knit together the expertise and resources of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Department of Health (DOH), South African Police Service (SAPS), Department of Social Development (DSD), and a range of non-governmental organizations. This collaborative framework ensures that the victims of GBV can receive comprehensive care that is not only immediate but also continues throughout the legal process.

With an ever-climbing number of reported GBV cases nationally, the importance of TCCs cannot be understated. They play a pivotal role in the victims' journey towards healing by promoting an atmosphere of respect, comfort, and dignity. Furthermore, they actively contribute to the pursuit of justice for victims, aiming to break the pervasive cycle of violence.

The new Mitchell's Plain TCC embodies a beacon of hope and a tangible means of support for a community in need, demonstrating the government's tangible commitment to tackling gender-based violence head-on. It is expected to be an essential asset to the Mitchell's Plain area, which, like many others, suffers deeply under the shadow of GBV.

The establishment of this TCC is more than an expansion of numbers; it's a testament to the dynamic and continued efforts to support victims and challenge the roots of gender-based violence in South Africa.