The Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) are situated at select government hospitals all over South Africa. The centres are one-stop facilities that have been introduced as a critical part of South Africa’s anti-rape strategy, aiming to reduce secondary victimisation, improve conviction rates and reduce the cycle time for finalisation of cases.
The TCC is linked to a magistrate’s court (ideally a dedicated sexual offence court, near the centre). This court has prosecutors skilled in Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) matters, judiciary, court interpreters, social workers, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as well as court preparation officers.
The aim is to provide holistic support to survivors of SGBV . Once there, a survivor will receive aid from trained medical, legal and mental health practitioners. The process is designed with care to operate at a level that protects the dignity and integrity of the victim. Processes are carefully explained, and the survivor makes decisions based on their needs.
How does it work?
Step 1: You can report sexual and gender-based violence offences (including rape) directly to a TCC (based at community clinics or hospitals) or to any SAPS police station
Step 2: If you report to the TCC, staff will assist in getting you immediate medico-legal attention at the centre
• An explanation will be given of how the medical examination will be conducted and what clothing might be taken for evidence.
• You will be given a consent form to sign that allows the doctor to conduct the medical examination.
• After the medical examination, there are bath or shower facilities for the survivor to use, and clothes are provided for you to change into (if yours are taken as evidence).
• A nurse arranges for follow-up visits, treatment and medication for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), HIV and AIDS.
Step 3: TCC staff will arrange psycho-social intervention or referral to specialised psychological services, either within the hospital, or an official alternative location.
Step 4: TCC staff will assist you to report the case to a police official. Matters can be reported immediately or at a later stage.
• An investigation officer will interview the survivor and take his/her statement
Step 5: TCC staff will arrange for on-going counselling.
• A referral letter or appointment will be made for long-term counselling
Step 6: The survivor will be informed of court proceedings through a victim assistant officer. Where the matter proceeds to trial, a court preparation officer will provide the survivor with the necessary court preparation.
• Prosecutors (Case Managers) who are appointed to a specific TCC as specialists in sexual offences and gender-based violence, will track, monitor and guide the investigation and prosecution of sexual and gender-based violence cases.
• An explanation of the outcome and update of the trial process will be given to the survivor by the police officer managing the case.
• The aforementioned process commences with the reporting of the case until the matter is finalised within a court environment.
Step 7: The survivor is offered transportation home by an ambulance or the investigating officer.
• Arrangements can be made for the survivor to go to a place of safety, if necessary.
Where are the Thuthuzela Care Centres?
Eastern Cape
1. Bizana TCC, St Patricks Bizana
2. Butterworth TCC, Butterworth Hospital
3. Dora Nginza TCC, Dora Nginza Hospital
4. Grey Hospital TCC
5. Libode TCC, St Barnabas Hospital
6. Lusikisiki TCC, St Elizabeth Hospital
7. Mdantsane TCC, C/O Casualty Dept, Cecilia Makiwane Hospital
8. Mthatha TCC, Mthatha General
9. Taylor Bequest TCC, Taylor Bequest Hospital
Freestate
1. Bongani TCC, Bongani Hospital, Health Complex
2. Metsimaholo TCC, Metsimaholo District Hospital
3. Phekolong TCC, Phekolong Hospital
4. Tshepong TCC, National District Hospital
Gauteng
1. Baragwanath/Nthabiseng TCC, Chris Hani Bara Hospital
2. Kopanong TCC, Kopanong Hospital
3. Laudium TCC, Laudium Hospital & Community Health Centre
4. Lenasia TCC, Lenasia Hospital
5. Mamelodi TCC, Mamelodi Day Hospital Casualty Department
6. Masakhane TCC, Tembisa Hospital
7. Thelle Mogoerane TCC, Thelle Mogoerane Hospital
KwaZulu-Natal
1. Madadeni TCC Madadeni Hospital
2. Empangeni TCC, Ngwelezana Hospital
3. Port Shepstone TCC, Port Shepstone Regional Hospital
4. Umlazi TCC, Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital (Ward C4)
5. Phoenix TCC, Mahatma Ghandi Memorial Hospital
6. RK Khan TCC, RK Khan Hospital
7. Stanger TCC, Stanger Regional Hospital
8. Edendale TCC, Edendale Hospital
Limpopo
1. Groblersdal TCC, Groblersdal Hospital
2. Mankweng TCC, Mankweng Hospital
3. Mokopane TCC Mokopane Hospital
4. Musina TCC, Messina Hospital
5. Nkhensani TCC, Nkhensani Hospital
6. Seshego TCC, Seshego Hospital
7. Tshilidzini TCC, Tshilidzini Hospital
Mpumalanga
1. Ermelo TCC, Ermelo Hospital
2. Evander TCC, Evander Hospital
3. Themba TCC, Themba Hospital (stand 1213)
4. Tonga TCC, Tonga Hospital
5. Witbank TCC, Witbank Hospital
Northern Cape
1. De Aar TCC, Central Karoo Hospital, De Aar Casualty Department
2. Galeshewe TCC, Galeshewe Day Hospital
3. Kuruman TCC, Kuruman Hospital
4. Springbok TCC, Van Niekerk Hospital (Springbok Hospital), HIV/AIDS Counselling
Unit
North West
1. Job Shimankane Tabane TCC, Job Shimankana Tabane Hospital (Admin Block)
2. Klerksdorp TCC, Tshepong Hospital
3. Mafikeng TCC, Mafikeng Provincial Hospital
4. Potchefstroom TCC, Potchefstroom Hospital
5. Taung TCC, Taung District Hospital
Western Cape
1. George TCC, George Provincial Hospital
2. Karl Bremer TCC, Karl Bremer Hospital (M5 Clinical Forensics & Rape Care Management Centre)
3. Khayelitsha TCC, Khayelitsha Community Health Centre
4. (Manenberg) Heideveld TCC, Heideveld Community Health Centre
5. Westfleur TCC (Atlantis TCC), Wesfleur Hospital
6. Worcester TCC, Worcester Hospital