Prioritise children’s safety this festive season
“Many of the sexual violence and rape cases are often withdrawn a few days after they are reported.”
Tsakani – During the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign, African Reporter has highlighted gender-based violence (GBV) by speaking to and hearing different views from victims and organisations dedicated to working with victims.
This week, as the campaign wraps up, our attention turns to the police. African Reporter sat down with Col Olven Letloenyane from the Tsakani SAPS who shared some of the challenges police face when dealing with issues of GBV.
In the latest crime stats recently released by Gauteng acting provincial police commissioner Maj Gen Patricia Rampota for the second quarter of 2020/21, it was revealed 48 rape cases were reported at the Tsakani Police Station between July and September 2020.
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Sexual offences cases were sitting at 60 cases during the same period.
The station occupied position 12 of the top 30 stations in this category in Gauteng.
Letloenyane said they are concerned about the number of rape and sexual violence cases in the area.
“We have identified that in most cases the perpetrators are known to the victim.
“Many of the sexual violence and rape cases are often withdrawn a few days after they are reported.
“Some of the victims get paid in exchange for the case to be withdrawn while others use their perpetrators.
“Unfortunately, we cannot force the victim to go through with the case when they don’t want to and the court cannot put the case on the court roll when the main witness has stepped down,” he said.
The colonel explained that in some cases the victims are minors, who are often pressured by their parents, family or friends to lodge the complaint.
“A few days later they return to the station to withdraw the case because they have sorted out their differences with the boyfriend,” he said.
According to Letloenyane, another factor contributing to the high number of sexual violence cases in the area is “environmental designs”.
“Tsakani Police Station serves many informal settlements which are congested, unemployment is rife and opportunities to commit crimes are available.
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“Criminals use these areas as a hiding place and they are often not known to their neighbours, unlike in other formal areas where they are able to easily identify illegal activities and report them to police,” he said.
The officer urged victims to refrain from withdrawing cases.
“This only gives the perpetrator the opportunity to commit crime,” he said.
Letloenyane urged parents to prioritise their children’s safety this festive season.
“Children who are left unattended become targets for rapists,” he warned.
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