Courts hand down life sentences to sexual offenders
Hundreds of convicted sexual related offenders convicted of their crimes received life terms in the past year.
From 31 March 2014 to 1 April 2015, SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units in KwaZulu-Natal secured convictions and sentences to a total of 102 sexual related offenders, according to provincial police spokesman Major Thulani Zwane .
“The offenders were charged for various cases including kidnapping, assaults, domestic violence, sexual assault, robbery, attempted murder, house breaking and theft, abduction and rape cases in the province,” explained Zwane.
The 102 accused were arrested for sexual related cases reported from 31 March 2014. The accused have been convicted by various courts in the province after they were found guilty of these sexual-related offences.
One hundred and twenty seven (127) life term imprisonments were handed down to convicted accused.
“It is gladly acknowledged that maximum sentences were handed down in most cases and that justice was delivered to the victims.
“We owe these successful convictions to the dedication and capability of the different FCS Units that effectively investigated crimes involving vulnerable women and children in our province,” he said.
The provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni applauded these successes and expressed her confidence in the judicial system. “The sentences handed down will send a clear message to like-minded would-be offenders that the police will trace, arrest and make sure that they present a thorough investigated docket to courts for prosecution. KwaZulu-Natal police will endeavour with all its resources to prevent crimes against women and children and make the province a safer place for everyone,” she said.
