SAPS arrest 244 suspects for GBV crimes despite campaign to end violence
SAPS secured 14 convictions, which included seven life sentences.
THE KwaZulu-Natal SAPS arrested 244 suspects for crimes relating to gender-based violence in December, just days after the 16 Days of Activism campaign drew to a close on 25 November.
During the international campaign, 16 days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, SAPS aimed to educate the public and encourage communities to break the silence around sexual offenses.
Despite these efforts, Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala said the KwaZulu-Natal Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units were inundated with gender-based-violence cases on a daily basis.
Also read: KZN employs more than 900 social workers to support GBV victims
“FCS detectives worked tirelessly from December 1 to 31 and arrested 244 suspects for crimes ranging from rape, statutory rape, kidnapping, abduction, human trafficking, attempted murder, assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, child neglect and indecent exposure,” said Gwala.
According to Gwala, SAPS secured 14 convictions, which included seven life sentences and 99 years of imprisonment for the many suspects who appeared in court across the province.
Also read: 16 Days of Activism: Report violence, urges SAPS
“Many cases are still awaiting trial in court which, will result in further suspects being charged and sentenced for their crimes,” said Gwala.
Communities are encouraged to continue reporting crimes to police stations to curb the stigma attached to sexual offenses.
* Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news
Dear reader, As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).
