EC records over 12 000 domestic violence cases

THERE were 12 059 cases of domestic violence reported across the 196 police stations in the province between 2015 and 2017, safety and liaison MEC Weziwe Tikana said in a report submitted to the Bhisho legislature recently.

Tikana’s report came after parliamentary questions were posed to her office by DA MPL Bobby Stevenson.

In her report Tikana said in the 2015-16 financial year 5 356 cases of domestic violence had been reported in the province, while 5 181 were reported in 2016-17.

So far 1 522 cases of domestic violence had been reported in the 2017-18 financial year, which ends in March.

Out of the total of 12 923 protection order cases reported over the last three financial years, Tikana revealed that 9 334 arrests had been made.

She said such cases went to court, but only 1 934 had led to successful prosecution.

In the report, Tikana also revealed that 43 police stations across the province had no victim centres for those who fell prey to abuse and violence.

The DA’s Stevenson said it was shocking that a distressed and traumatised woman or child was expected to talk about their rape in a charge office full of people.

The stations without victim centres are: Mt Fletcher, eMaXesibeni, Matatiele, Cala, Mtontsasa, Fort Beaufort, Tsomo, Bizana, Ntabankulu, Despatch, Tabase, Dordrecht, Cookhouse, Healdtown, Mpisi, Pumalanga, Klipklaat, Doringkloof, Bridgecamp, Scenery Park and Seafield.

Others are Seven Fountains, Hofmeyer, Bathurst, Kei Road, Steytlerville, Wolwefontein, Thomas River, Bolo, Hlababomvu, Nemato, Jamestown, Kleinbulhoek, Elliotdale, Burgersdorp, Thornhill, Tyefu, Izele, Avondale, Froukraal, Ndengane, Glen Grey and Hankey.

However, Tikana stated that all 196 stations had trained domestic violence coordinators, and all 5 689 police officers in the 196 stations had undergone training on handling domestic violence complaints.

Stevenson said in many towns, the police station is the only port of call for victims who cannot afford or are unable to go elsewhere.

“Crimes against women and children need to receive greater priority by the SAPS. There needs to be help at hand at all police stations to protect the victims of abuse,” Stevenson said.

“More needs to be done to curb the ongoing violence and crimes against women and children,” Stevenson added.

Tikana said many of the 43 stations which had not established centres for victims of abuse and violence were in remote areas and small towns.

Stevenson said he had written to MEC Tikana to request that the crucial establishment of victim centres be prioritised at all police stations. — co.za