SAPS to make victims of GBV a priority
Police Minister Bheki Cele has vowed to continue with the government’s crackdown on gender-based violence (GBV).
Speaking at the release of the third quarter crime statistics, he said GBV and femicide remained priority crimes for the South African Police Service.
Cele revealed there was a 9% decrease in the number of sexual offences recorded in the country in the last three months of 2021.
Despite this drop, 11 315 people were raped between October and December last year. There were also 524 attempted sexual offences in the country.
In KwaZulu-Natal the figures for sexual offences dropped by 6.8% (180 cases) to 2 481, when compared with the same period in 2020.
“Over 5 012 of the rape incidents took place at the home of the victim or the home of the rapist,” Cele said, “with 674 rapes domestic violence related and 632 of the rape cases in this category involving females.
“These statistics also show that many sexual assaults, such as rape, happen behind closed doors among people who are known to each other.
“We therefore, also call on communities to be more proactive in the prevention of this crime that is often difficult to police.”
The minister called on all SAPS members to continue to improve their response and service delivery to victims and survivors of GBV and sexual assault at station level.
“Dedicated GBV desks are now available at 381 police stations across the country,” Cele said. “The establishment of the GBV desks will be finalised at the end of March this year.”
He also revealed that 91 489 police officers had been trained in victim empowerment, with the aim of providing a victim-centered service at police stations.
“Focused policing has become our biggest arsenal for the SAPS against this scourge,” Cele added. “Through our 185 family violence, child protection and sexual offences (FCS) units, including nine serial electronic crime investigation units (SECI), detectives are solely focusing their efforts and expertise in investigating crimes against women and children.
“The FCS has handed down 272 life sentences for crimes committed against women and children, since April to-date.”
Cele also believes the amendments to the Criminal
Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment
Act, the Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Act, and the Domestic Violence Amendment Act, will strengthen the SAPS’s response to gender-based violence and sexual offences.
“The Domestic Violence Amendment Act progressively introduces online applications for protection orders against acts of domestic violence,” Cele said. “These legislations will, among many interventions, tighten bail and usher in minimum sentencing provisions for accused persons.
“We are encouraged that the acts will ensure a victim-centered focus and make it more difficult for perpetrators to escape justice.”