Minister acknowledges need for more police officers

“We have asked our colleges to put more effort into the training and recruitment of the police.

“There were about 300 early retirements which I refused because we need the experienced men and women to help lead the younger officers.

“We can’t just let that experience go away. When it comes to rape and abuse of women, I have told officers to take care of the cases and not get involved with the merits.

“There are times when you find police officers saying that female dress code was connected to their rape. But the police are not fashion advisers, and women can wear what they want,” Cele said.

Chairperson of the Mitchells Plain Impact Association, Joanie Fredericks, said the figures were shocking, but they don’t represent the real situation.

“We have situations where mothers are attacked by their sons, and they can do nothing about it.

“The police cannot police families and relationships, but officers should judge victims at police stations. To get the victim out to the police is already a massive task,” Fredericks said.

Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust co-ordinator Jeanne Bodenstein said there were several issues with reporting rape.

“Investigating officers are not contactable; victims are not treated with sensitivity or taken to victim-friendly rooms, and there are several myths and stereotypes. When complaints are reported to station commanders, they rarely receive feedback,” she said.

Chairperson of the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities, Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva, said women were being raped at the hands of traditional leaders and clerics.

“We find women going to traditional healers with their problems, but in return the healers request that the women have sex with him.

“That is misusing women. It’s rape. In churches we find clerics raping young children in vestries. Those are places that are supposed to be safe for everyone,” she said.

Cosatu parliamentary officer Matthew Parks said victim support systems should be strengthened at police stations.

Meanwhile, the Western Cape Legislature will start public hearings on the appointment of a provincial children’s commissioner in October.