SIBASA – Gender equality exists in the SAPS in the Vhembe area. This was emphasized when the first four women ever were appointed to lead police stations in the area.

The appointments were announced to the media and the public during a function at the Vhembe SAPS headquarters on Tuesday.

The area commissioner of the Vhembe Area, Assistant Commissioner Joseph Maepa, honoured the four station commissioners as a sign of the existence gender equality in the SAPS. The four new station commanders are Capt Mavhungu Mashavhathakga, stationed at Tshitale, Capt Naledzani Sivhula, stationed at Bandelierkop, Capt. Nditsheni Thukhutha, stationed at Makuya, and Capt Mashudu Mavhandu, stationed at Masisi.

These station commissioners are going to deal with different fields, including crime prevention, crime investigation and also management as a whole within their stations.

Maepa told Mirror that the SAPS management of the Vhembe Area appreciates the appointment of the women to lead the four stations. He also confirmed that they are going appoint more women in high positions in the SAPS. "I'm so happy, because these women are fully trained for these positions to lead their stations. I plead with SAPS members who are under the leadership of these women to respect them," said Maepa.

One of the four station commissioners, Capt Mavhungu Mashavhathakga, told Mirror that she is proud to be appointed as a station commissioner, and it is true that gender equality exists in the Vhembe Area.