THE GREENPOINT community in Kimberley was the focal point of a Human Rights Day initiative as law enforcement and justice stakeholders teamed up to tackle gender-based violence and drug-related crime head-on.

Greenpoint, which police spokesperson Sergeant Timothy Sam described as a “mining community”, saw a multi-disciplinary team from the Northern Cape Operation Vala Umgodi, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and the Community Policing Forum (CPF) take to the streets on Friday, March 21, with a bold message: human rights begin at home.

The outreach campaign combined education, empowerment, and action. Teams went door to door engaging residents on key issues such as domestic violence, legal processes surrounding protection orders, and access to justice. In one instance, officers helped open a case docket for a gender-based violence (GBV) victim on the spot - an immediate response made possible by the team’s proactive presence.

But it wasn’t only about handing out flyers and offering legal insight. The high-visibility operation also yielded tangible results. During the activation, officers stopped and searched a suspicious individual and discovered mandrax and tik with a street value of more than R7,000. The suspect was swiftly arrested for dealing and possession of drugs.

The day’s success was made possible by collaboration. The NPA provided on-the-ground legal guidance, while the CPF helped identify vulnerable households in need of intervention. The message was clear: keeping communities safe requires both police visibility and active citizen involvement.

The Operation Vala Umgodi Tactical Joint Operations Centre commander Colonel Kagisho Diamond reaffirmed their commitment to educational campaigns and ongoing crime-fighting efforts in mining areas. Friday’s event was more than symbolic - it was a clear reminder that Human Rights Day is not just a public holiday, but a call to action.

- DFA

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