Sinakekelwe TCC (Thuthuzela Care Centre)

About Sinakekelwe Thuthuzela Care Centre

Sinakekelwe Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) is part of South Africa's national network of Thuthuzela Care Centres — one-stop facilities established since 1999 by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)'s Sexual Offences and Community Affairs (SOCA) Unit as the cornerstone of South Africa's anti-rape strategy. The name "Sinakekelwe" means "we are being looked after/cared for" in isiZulu — a name that affirms the survivor-centred ethos of the TCC model.

Originally operating from Natalspruit Hospital, Sinakekelwe is now confirmed as operating at Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital, 12390 Nguza Street, Extension 14, Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni. It serves one of Gauteng's largest and most densely populated urban townships — the combined Vosloorus/Katlehong/Tokoza corridor — where sexual violence rates are extremely high and access to comprehensive post-rape care has historically been limited.

The Thuthuzela Model

Thuthuzela Care Centres are internationally recognised as best practice in integrated sexual offences response. Their model is built on a single principle: a survivor should never have to tell their story more than once, travel between multiple facilities, or be subjected to administrative indignity after the trauma of rape.

At a TCC, a survivor receives ALL of the following services in one visit:

Medical care — comprehensive examination, treatment of injuries, STI screening and treatment, HIV testing. HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) — ARV medication to reduce the risk of HIV transmission if initiated within 72 hours. This is one of the most time-critical interventions available to rape survivors. Forensic evidence collection — conducted by a trained sexual assault nurse examiner, using non-invasive procedure and with survivor consent. The J88 form (medico-legal evidence) is completed. Trauma counselling — crisis counselling from a trained TCC social worker or counsellor, immediately following the examination. Police statement — an investigating officer takes the survivor's statement at the TCC, so survivors do not have to go to a police station (often the most intimidating step for many survivors). Case management — the TCC social worker monitors the survivor's case, provides follow-up counselling, and ensures the survivor remains connected to justice processes. Referrals — to long-term counselling, shelters, legal aid, and DSD services as required.

Who Is Served

The Sinakekelwe TCC serves adult and child survivors of rape and sexual assault. Children who are rape survivors are a particularly important population — TCCs have dedicated child-friendly examination rooms and are trained to conduct forensic examinations in child-sensitive ways.

Important Note on Government Funding

TCCs are funded and operated by the NPA in partnership with the Department of Health (who provide the hospital space and nursing staff), SAPS (who provide investigating officers), and DSD (who fund social workers). They are government-operated facilities, not NGOs. Your database may need a flag to distinguish government facilities from NPOs.