Matlala Victim Support

About Matlala Victim Support Centre

Matlala Victim Support Centre was established in June 2004 and received its NPO certificate in June 2006. The Centre is co-located at the Matlala SAPS station in Vlakfontein Village (Ga-Ramokadikadi), Ga-Matlala — the only police station in the entire Ga-Matlala Traditional Authority area, situated approximately 54km northwest of Polokwane on the Matlala Road.

The Centre was initiated by the Department of Social Development in partnership with SAPS Matlala, and has been funded by the DSD since 2010. All four volunteers receive monthly DSD stipends, and the organisation has trained staff through SETA and Better Best Health institutions.

Service Area

Ga-Matlala is a large traditional authority area in the Polokwane Local Municipality comprising numerous villages including Vlakfontein, Tibane, Moletjie, and surrounding settlements. These are predominantly agricultural communities with very high poverty, limited public transport, and almost no other social welfare infrastructure. The Matlala SAPS station's co-located VEP is the primary victim support point for the entire region.

Services

• Victim empowerment and survivor counselling — trained volunteers provide psychosocial support, victim advocacy, and practical guidance to survivors of GBV, domestic violence, rape, and crime.
• Overnight accommodation — the Centre offers overnight refuge for victims of gender-based violence and crime, a rare facility in a deeply rural setting.
• Community awareness campaigns — 8 community campaigns and 5 school campaigns documented in 2014/15 alone, reaching youth and community members across Ga-Matlala villages.
• Court support and referrals — guided support through police reporting, court processes, and DSD social work referrals.
• Inter-agency collaboration — SADAG counselling, depression, stress and substance abuse training; governance workshops through African Pathways; financial management training.

Manager

The current manager as of the most recent Gender Links case study is Ms Nkoko C.V. (the previous manager, Mrs Mphela K.J., moved to the Department of Water Affairs in Polokwane).