Female law enforcers in Mangochi have concluded Basadi operation on a high note after conducting numerous crime prevention activities through the operation that took place from May 25 to 28, 2021.
“Basadi” which literally means ‘women’ in Sotho and Tswana languages is an operation by female police officers across countries in the SADC region and it focuses on combating priority crimes particularly against women and children, such as defilement, rape, assault, human trafficking, domestic violence and child labour among others.
The main purpose of the operation is to display the active role female police officers play in law enforcement.
The SADC region operation was established in 2013 under the theme: “We are on it, gender based violence must stop.”
During the three day operation, Mangochi women in uniform led by the Station Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police Violet Kamwendo, conducted sweeping exercises, sensitization awareness, roadblocks and arrests.
The female law enforcers apprehended Davie Banda, 52, from Mpinganjira Village, Traditional Authority Chimwala in the district who defiled a 17-year old imbecile who is also his wife’s niece on the evening of May 25, 2021 when the wife went to madras (Islamic teachings).
The team also stormed Namakadzu Village where they confiscated 350 twists and 5 kgs of illicit drug following a tip during traffic checks and searches. In the process, 10 motorists were also fined while four motorcycles were impounded for violating traffic regulations.
On the second day of the operation, the women in uniform joined Umoyo Youth Club at Mpondasi Primary School where they sensitized learners on issues related to gender based violence.
Among others, the station’s Victim Support Coordinator Sub Inspector Gift Maggie Karoti encouraged the learners to report the vice in the secret boxes placed in different areas by Police.
To mark the end of the operation, the female officers paraded along Mangochi-Monkeybay road. The team targeted trading centres along the road by sensitizing the masses on issues to do with GBV and crime prevention.
Taking advantage of the Friday market day at Mpondasi trading centre where masses flock in to buy various goods, the female cops stormed the market sensitizing the masses on GBV and related cases.
Speaking in one of the road-shows, Kamwendo urged the community not to harbour criminals who are installing fear in law abiding citizens.
“Police is committed to building bridges leading in the forefront of protecting women and children, l therefore encourage you my fellow women not to conceal matters of sexual abuse,” she said.
“I’m strictly warning the other gender to stop forthwith the tendency of sexually abusing your female relations especially step daughters who are becoming victims,” added Kamwendo.
Basadi operation normally takes place twice annually and every police woman in the SADC region is expected to participate.
Sub Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi
Deputy PRO- Mangochi Police Station
Cell:0999-706-525
Email:mamateps1152@gmail.com