SIBASA - The Thohoyandou Child Protection Unit, based at Sibasa, has won R5 000 for being the institution that is excelling at its job of protecting children in the Vhembe District with dignity.

About two weeks ago, the unit celebrated its success, as the Provincial Commissioner Calvin Sengani awarded them a certificate of appreciation.

The unit started to function in 1998 and was then called the Special Individual Unit and later transformed into the Child Protection Unit. According to the Unit Commander, Superintendent Hobyane Thomas Mzamane, as from the year 2000, this unit has already dealt with 580 case related with child abuse. “We have 11 investigators and align with social workers. Sexual harassment is escalating in the Vhembe area and some cases are only reported after three years,” Mzamane said.

Mzamane said the unit is working hand in hand with the Tohoyandou Victim Empowerment Program (TVEP) to manage all dockets every Monday. The TVEP always comes to check if there is progress in the investigation of child abuses cases.