Increase in family violence convictions recorded

THE Kwazulu-natal Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit’s investigating officers arrested 238 suspects from October 1, 2022 to October 31, 2022.

The suspects were arrested for crimes such as rape, kidnapping, and assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, child neglect and indecent exposure.

Police spokesperson Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo said: “During that period, 30 convictions were secured by various teams in the province. This included five life sentences and 356 years’ imprisonment for accused who appeared in various courts within the province.”

Ngcobo said that as more cases were pending in court, it was certain that many other accused would be receiving sentences that would serve as a lesson to others who abused women and children.

Detectives were able to secure the convictions and put the perpetrators behind bars thanks to the courage of victims who broke their silence and reported incidents of exploitation and others.

“We encourage more victims to come forward and report cases to the police,” Ngcobo said.

In September, detectives attached to the unit also arrested 491 suspects and secured 37 convictions, with nine life sentences imposed by the courts.

A total of 260 years’ imprisonment were handed down to a number of accused convicted for family violence, child protection and sexual offences-related crimes in the various courts in the province, according to police spokesperson Lieutenant-colonel Nqobile Gwala.