DEDICATED teams from various Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units (FCS) in KwaZulu-Natal were able to secure three terms of life imprisonment as well as 348 years imprisonment for sexual-related cases they investigated.
From 1 to 31 January, 424 suspects were arrested for cases of rape, sexual assault, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, kidnapping and other sexual-related cases that were opened. Different magistrate and regional courts in the province were able to successfully prosecute 29 of the accused who were arrested by the FCS Unit.
Life sentences were handed down to three men who were accused of raping victims aged between six and 19.
The FCS Unit remains committed to sending sexual predators to prison indefinitely.
KwaZulu-Natal acting provincial commissioner, Major General Bheki Langa applauded the successes accomplished by the FCS Unit and expressed his appreciation in the judicial system which has meted out appropriate sentences to these rapists.
“It is extremely disturbing that the majority of these victims have been harmed by people they know and trust. It is disheartening to find that our children are molested by adults who they look up too. We will endeavour to use all the resources at our disposal to ensure that those who abuse our women and children are put behind bars,” he said.