Two more horrific GBV cases
TWO MORE horrific incidents of gender-based violence are being investigated by the police in the Northern Cape, shortly after President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke out against the scourge of abuse and killing of women and children in the country during his address to the nation on Wednesday night.
Members of the SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit in Kathu, in collaboration with members of Crime Intelligence, SAPS Olifantshoek and local detectives, yesterday morning arrested a 32-year-old man in connection with the rape of a 74-yearold blind woman.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Mohale Ramatseba said the incident was reported on June 16 at the woman’s home in Siyathemba.
“It is alleged that the suspect had a heated argument with his girlfriend. The girlfriend was allegedly assaulted, as well as her sister. After the two sisters fled, the suspect allegedly raped their grandmother,” said Ramatseba.
He added that a 72-hour activation plan was implemented and the suspect was arrested yesterday morning in the Olifantshoek area.
“The suspect is expected to appear before the local magistrate’s court soon and his application to be released on bail will be opposed.”
“The Provincial Commissioner of the Northern Cape, Lieutenant-general Risimati Peter Shivuri, has applauded members for their swift response which led to the arrest of the suspect.
“Crimes against women and children, particularly the elderly, cannot be tolerated and no effort will be spared in ensuring that the perpetrators are harshly dealt with in terms of the law,” Ramatseba said.
Meanwhile, a 48-year-old husband is expected to apply for bail in the Noupoort Magistrate’s Court on June 23 after he was arrested for the murder of his 45-year-old wife.
It is believed that the deceased’s head was repeatedly bashed against the floor, prior to her death.
Community members claimed that the woman was a long-suffering victim of abuse. “Everyone knew about the violent abuse. Her death was tragic,” they said.
Police spokesperson Captain Sergio Kock said that the deceased, Rosy Reed, died after suffering severe head injuries.
“The police are investigating a case of murder after the deceased was found dead inside her house on June 14. Her husband was arrested. The motive has not been established as yet and police investigations continue,” said Kock.
He stated that the accused, Trevor Reed, 48, made a first appearance in the Noupoort Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
“The case has been postponed to June 23 for a formal bail application.”
On Wednesday night, Ramaphosa spoke out against the murder of 21 women and children over the past few weeks.
“At a time when the Covid-19 pandemic has left us all feeling vulnerable and uncertain, violence is being unleashed on women and children with a brutality that defies comprehension. These rapists and killers walk among us. They are in our communities. They are our fathers, our brothers, our sons and our friends; violent men with utterly no regard for the sanctity of human life,” said Ramaphosa.
“As these suspects make bail applications this week, I have the utmost confidence that our courts will send the strongest of signals that such violence has no place in society.”
He added that one of the biggest challenges facing survivors, was to leave abusive relationships.
“Legislative amendments have been prepared around, among other things, imposing minimum sentences for gender-based violence cases, bail conditions for suspects and greater protection for women who are victims of intimate partner violence.
“Our courts have been firm in dealing with cases of gender-based violence even during the lockdown period, handing down life sentences and multiple life sentences to perpetrators. I want to assure the women and children of South Africa that our criminal justice system will remain focused on gender-based violence cases and that we can expect more arrests and more prosecutions against perpetrators to follow.”
Ramaphosa pointed out that it was “deeply disturbing” that the spike in crimes against women and children had coincided with the easing of the Covid-19 lockdown regulations.
“According to the police, violent crime – especially murders and attempted murders – have increased since alert Level 3 took effect on June 1. Cases of abuse of women and children have also increased dramatically.”
The president added that it was important to reflect on the role of alcohol abuse and levels of violence, road accidents and reckless behaviour.
“We need to ask some very difficult questions of ourselves as a society. Several international and domestic studies show clear linkages between alcohol abuse and gender-based violence. Of course, it is not alcohol that rapes or kills a woman or a child. Rather, it is the actions of violent men. But if alcohol intoxication is contributing to these crimes, then it must be addressed with urgency.”