New Pitseng CGPU office enhances child safety

Twenty-four cases of sexual assault involving children aged between six and 16 were reported to the Child and Gender Protection Unit (CGPU) in Pitseng between April 2023 and April 2024.

Pitseng is a village in the Leribe district.

This was revealed by Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SACP) Khethang Tenane, District Commissioner of Police for Leribe, during the handover ceremony of a newly refurbished child-friendly CGPU facility to the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) held recently in Pitseng.

Tenane stated that of the 24 cases, 12 have been brought before the courts, while the remaining 12 are still under investigation.

He credited the construction of the new CGPU building to community-led initiatives that followed training sessions conducted by World Vision Lesotho. These sessions focused on child protection and equipping the community with knowledge onhow to support children in reporting abuse.

During the training, community members expressed concern over the previous CGPU’s location within the main police station, which made it intimidating and uncomfortable for children to report cases.

“Children had to walk through various police departments and speak to uniformed officers, which made them feel more like suspects than victims,” Tenane explained.

In light of these concerns, the community appealed for a standalone, child-friendly facility. In response, and through the office of the Police Commissioner, World Vision constructed a dedicated CGPU building, offering a safer and more welcoming environment for children.

Tenane noted that officers working at the new facility had undergone refresher training to better serve children with care and sensitivity.

theReporter has learned that World Vision Lesotho and the LMPS signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in 2016 to strengthen child protection efforts. While LMPS holds the mandate to address abuse involving children, whether as victims or perpetrators, World Vision supports the police by bolstering protection systems in communities.

As part of this collaboration, World Vision has trained approximately 23,000 community members, who also contributed to the development of the Domestic Violence Act.

The organisation has also educated various groups about relevant laws: 17,800 women and girls were trained on child protection legislation, and 7,000 men and boys received training on the Sexual Offences Act of 2023.

Mafolofolo Makhotla, a youth representative from the Matlameng Area Programme, praised the new facility for making it easier for children to report abuse.

“The building is child-friendly, and that alone encourages children to come forward and report wrongdoing,” Makhotla said.

He added that previously, children had to pass through multiple police offices to access the CGPU, which discouraged them from speaking up. Now, they can go directly to a safe and welcoming space.

Makhotla urged authorities to increase the number of officers dedicated to handling child-related cases, especially given the size of Pitseng.

He also appealed for the use of unbranded vehicles when dealing with such cases, as branded police cars can scare children or attract unwanted attention in the community.

“Lastly, the office should have a full-time counsellor available daily to support children emotionally and psychologically,” he urged.

The National Director of World Vision Lesotho, James Nkemba Chifwelu, emphasised that every child deserves to feel safe, heard, and valued.

“It is an honour and a great privilege for me, on behalf of World Vision International Lesotho, to officially hand over this child-friendly facility to the LMPS,” Chifwelu said.

He indicated that too many children in Lesotho still face exploitation, neglect, and harm, often in silence.

“Our presence here today is a demonstration of our shared responsibility and unwavering determination to ensure that every child has access to justice in a safe, friendly, and protective environment.

“World Vision International Lesotho has remained a steadfast partner to LMPS, particularly in transforming CGPUs into child-friendly spaces. These efforts are part of our broader vision: to ensure that every child, especially those who are victims of abuse, is met with dignity and care when seeking justice,” he added.

In its ongoing mission to improve reporting and referral systems, World Vision continues to work closely with the LMPS and other partners to strengthen both prevention and response to violence against children.

LMPS Commissioner Advocate Borotho Matsoso expressed his gratitude to World Vision for its continued commitment to safeguarding children’s rights and creating a secure space that promotes their well-being and development.

He stressed the importance of the new facility in reinforcing protection mechanisms for vulnerable groups.

Matsoso called on parents and guardians not to leave children alone at home, pointing out that they are often lured by perpetrators with money or snacks, leading to abuse.

“Parents should inform neighbours when they are away, so someone can look after the children left behind,” he advised.

He also urged police officers to ensure the facility truly serves the community: “This facility and its staff should be an example of excellent service and proper care. The community must know that this is a safe space.”

Meanwhile, the Network of Early Childhood Development of Lesotho (NECDOL) recently issued a statement expressing deep concern over the increasing violence against children.

Referring to recent cases involving the rape of a two-year-old at a day-care centre and the death of a five-year-old due to teacher negligence in Maseru, the organisation urged authorities to act swiftly to ensure justice is served.

NECDOL called on communities to prioritise the care and safety of young children, noting that schools and communities should be safe havens, not sources of fear and trauma.

“In Sesotho, we say ‘Ngoana ke oa motse kaofela’- it takes a village to raise a child. We all share the responsibility of ensuring their safety and protection.

“The future of our children depends on the immediate and decisive actions of all of us not just some – to prioritise their rights and well-being,” the statement concluded.