Spike in violent and deadly attacks on women in NC
COMMUNITY members believe that they are being forced to take matters into their own hands following an onslaught of violent and brutal attacks against women in the Northern Cape during the national lockdown.
Community members also claimed on Wednesday that crimes in general have spiked following the release of prisoners on the Covid-19 parole dispensation, with break-ins and theft especially rampant.
Ritchie resident Irene Boothman stated that community members in the small Northern Cape town are insisting that no bail be granted to a man who appeared in the Ritchie Periodical Court on Wednesday following the rape of a 78-year-old woman.
She alleged that the accused forced his way into the grandmother’s home in Motswedimosa, Ritchie by breaking a window, before assaulting and raping her on June 3.
“The accused spent the night in her bed. The following morning the grandmother got up to fetch water and told her neighbours what had happened to her,” said Boothman.
She added that the accused fled to Danielskuil, where he was arrested on June 4.
The bail hearing has been postponed to Friday.
The spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, Mojalefa Senokoatsane, said the State opposed the application for bail.
“The charge under investigation is rape and the matter was placed on the roll for June 19 in the Ritchie Periodical Court for further hearing in the bail application. The application for release on bail was opposed,” said Senokoatsane.
In a separate incident, the police arrested a 26-year-old man after he allegedly hacked his 27-year-old girlfriend to death with a panga in Hartswater.
Police spokesperson Captain Sergio Kock said the incident took place on June 14, at about 7.30am, at the deceased’s shanty in Asgat informal settlement in Hartswater.
“The couple were apparently in a relationship and police arrested the 26-year-old male. The motive is unknown at this stage. The investigation continues,” said Kock.
He indicated that the accused appeared in court on Monday and would reappear for a formal bail application on June 22.
DA provincial spokesperson on gender Priscilla Isaacs expressed outrage and horror at the woman’s death as well as the recent spate of incidents of gender-based violence.
“We need to streamline the process of applying for protection orders to make it simpler and more user-friendly. We need specialised domestic violence courts and an online register, to ensure that information on perpetrators is accessible in all cities and towns,” said Isaacs.
Community members meanwhile conducted door-to door-drug raids in Douglas over the weekend following the death of a 54-year-old woman, who was stabbed multiple times at her home in Bongani location last week.
They stated that her husband was assaulted with a brick and has since been discharged from hospital after receiving medical attention, although he was still confused and was unable to recall what had happened during the incident.
Kock said the police were investigating the murder of Griet Wilson, who was found dead inside her home on June 11.
“Her 57-year-old boyfriend called and the police also found him with wounds to his head at their shack in Bongani, Douglas. The deceased had several wounds to her head and body.”
He stated that no arrests had been made yet.
“Anyone with information can call Detective Captain James Oliphant on 082 4954 665. The investigation continues.”
The community development practitioner at Sarag Development Agency, Richard Maketlo, said he believed that there was not enough manpower at the Douglas police station.
“Women are the targets of violent crimes, while they do not have access to any sort of support. Substance abuse is a big contributor of crime,” said Maketlo.
“We are putting our lives at stake trying to rid the community of drugs only for the culprits to be released on bail. As a community we decided to go door to door in search of drugs during the weekend because we have decided enough is enough. It seems like Douglas is the forgotten town.”
The chairperson of the Community Safety Forum in Douglas, Kenneth Morolong, has called for a thorough investigation into Wilson’s death.
“It does not make any sense why
Wilson was stabbed 11 times in the neck and body while she was asleep inside her shack. She was elderly, vulnerable and defenceless and did not have anything of value inside her home. We cannot remain silent any longer or allow crime to control us,” said Morolong.
He added that the Community Safety Forum, along with neighbourhood watches, the Community Policing Forum, the SAPS and Operation Wanya Tsotsi were conducting regular patrols to prevent crime.
“Since we started patrols this week, 32 knives and a panga were confiscated, while a man was arrested for being in possession of mandrax. There is a growing trend where drug lords rent other people’s homes to hide drugs. Alcohol and drug abuse is the motive for criminals to break into houses and steal.
“We have incidences where parolees have been re-arrested for committing crime. We have requested a meeting with the Department of Justice and the Department of Correctional Services because we cannot tolerate a situation where criminals are released only to become repeat offenders who terrorise the community.”