Women in Durban's law enforcement share their stories

Three women, working in the law enforcement field in Durban, discussed some of the challenges they face during an eThekwini Municipality Women's Month discussion on Wednesday. 

Zandile Myeni, the Deputy Mayor of eThekwini Municipality discussed the issues on an eThekwini Matters podcast which also celebrated women of value. 

Myeni is also part of the municipality’s Security and Emergency Committee, which she said has made concerted efforts in leading women empowerment.

For her women in uniform interview, Myeni spoke with Durban Metro Police Colonel Bongiwe Gidigidi, Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) Chief Sindi Msimango and South African Police Services (SAPS) Sergeant Phindile Mabizela. 

Myeni said that when she was growing up there was a perception that the law enforcement terrain was for one gender only but now the employment sector has changed to give women equal opportunities. She asked these women about their experiences as women in law enforcement. 

Msimango, who was employed as a traffic officer in 2004, spoke of working in a male-dominated sector and how she had to be strong, mentally. She also took her studies seriously and learnt how to approach people and vehicles and also became aware of the dangers in her working environment. 

Mabizela said women feel like they cannot be trusted or are incapable. 

“Sometimes we would hear remarks like women should stay in the office and capture dockets, like we were meant to do admin work. Men felt that women were not strong enough. We are strong enough because we underwent extensive training together with men at the college, there was no separate training,” she said. 

Myeni said women in law enforcement have seen a paradigm shift where women are occupying senior positions.

“While we celebrate Women’s Month we should also celebrate this because it is a milestone. Nobody thought that we would be there and are equal to the task,” Myeni said.  

However, Gidigidi said that being in a male dominated environment was a challenge because women are portrayed as someone who must be office and desk bound. Gidigidi emphasised that women have made significant strides in policing where there are firearm instructors, women in the motorbike and search and rescue units. 

“The opportunities are there. When we deal with members of the public on the road, especially males, when they see women, they see us differently. We are there to work. Give us some respect,” she said. 

Gidigidi said they relied on their extensive training in college on how to deal with situations involving both genders. 

“It has become so easy that the municipality and the big organisations have given women those opportunities. Anything is possible with the opportunities given to each and every person,” she said.

Myeni said she has learnt from the discussions that women in law enforcement agencies are facing challenges and the issue of patriarchy in society. 

“The country and city have also made opportunities available for women to advance. We need to educate our community members that if you are working as a law enforcement, you are here to do your work and you are also demanding respect. The community can be empowered on how they can relate to women in law enforcement moving forward,” she said. 

Myeni was also intrigued on how these women balanced their family, home and work environments. She said the family has higher expectations of them. 

Msimango said it was a challenge and they required the support, as mothers, from family members. She said women know how to multitask and to be strong, mentally. Gidigidi explained that she has learnt how to switch roles. 

With regard to women climbing the ladder into senior posts, Gidigidi explained that she has seen growth. She noticed that women take their leadership roles seriously and are equal to men in leadership roles. 

Mabizela encouraged women to study to empower themselves.

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za