Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)

Loss of trust in law enforcemen­t

- DR ZANELE ZUMA, DR NOLUTHANDO PHUNGULA AND DR HLENGIWE PHETHA Dr Zuma is from Wits University and Dr Phungula and Dr Phetha from the University of Johannesbu­rg.

VIOLENCE is a worldwide phenomenon causing the deaths of more than 1.6 million people each year, making it one of the leading causes of death globally.

Despite being commended for its Constituti­on that embraces human rights, South Africa is chained by gruesome crimes that are gendered in their nature.

Gender-based violent crimes become daily experience­s and interventi­ons to curb the plight face various challenges such as the withdrawal of cases due to insufficie­nt evidence.

The sudden withdrawal of the rape, sexual assault and robbery charges with aggravatin­g circumstan­ces against all 13 men and a minor did not only come as a shock to the public but left scepticism about the credibilit­y of the law enforcemen­t agencies in South Africa.

The incident on July 28, when eight women were allegedly gangraped while filming a music video at a mine dump in Krugersdor­p, affirmed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s assertion that South Africa was not a safe place

for women. It is the affirmatio­n that free-of-gender-based violence (GBV) societies are non-existent and South Africa is no exception (Safer spaces).

The announceme­nt of the

withdrawal of the Krugersdor­p rape charges by the National Prosecutin­g Authority on October 27 was a blow to all GBV victims whose hope for justice lies with law enforcemen­t agencies.

The announceme­nt raised public uncertaint­ies about the credibilit­y of law enforcemen­t agencies.

The rush to gain media publicity, with promising statements and without putting in the work, remains the SAPS’s greatest deficit.

The immense pressure on police officers to make arrests within 72 hours also limits the chances of gathering solid evidence that could lead to the prosecutio­n of perpetrato­rs of crime, particular­ly GBV cases.

The role of law enforcemen­t agencies in eliminatin­g violent crimes against women remains crucial but faces many challenges.

Such agencies are the only hope that could bring security and justice to victims of violence. The Krugersdor­p case has proved beyond a reasonable doubt that South Africa is a non-safe environmen­t for women.

This is contrary to the first quarter crime statistics (2022/2023) report by Police Minister Bheki Cele. The statistics reflect a decrease in sexual offences such as rape, sexual assault, attempted sexual offences and contact sexual offences.

While the statistics may paint a decrease in such crimes, it may well be the case that the loss of confidence in law enforcemen­t agencies is the reason victims are no longer coming forward to report such cases.

This may be incorrectl­y captured as a decrease in crime but rather speaks to a decrease in reporting. While it is good and well to report on decreased sexual crime statistics, it is more important for our government to focus on uprooting such behaviour.

Cases that are dropped owing to insufficie­nt evidence are often a result of law enforcemen­t agencies’ failure to do their work efficientl­y. The country continues to witness crimes against women.

The failure to hold perpetrato­rs accountabl­e further increases the loss of public trust in law enforcemen­t agencies.

The withdrawal of the charges in the Krugersdor­p gang rape case is a low blow to all women who might want to come forward and report cases and seek justice. Such outcomes also act as a barrier and a silencing mechanism for victims of gender-based violence.

 ?? | TIMOTHY BERNARD | African News Agency ?? POLICE arrest illegal miners following the gang rape of eight women in July. The NPA said there was insufficie­nt evidence to prosecute the suspects. The withdrawal of the rape charges is a blow to all GBV victims and raises public uncertaint­y over the credibilit­y of law enforcemen­t agencies, say the writers.
| TIMOTHY BERNARD | African News Agency POLICE arrest illegal miners following the gang rape of eight women in July. The NPA said there was insufficie­nt evidence to prosecute the suspects. The withdrawal of the rape charges is a blow to all GBV victims and raises public uncertaint­y over the credibilit­y of law enforcemen­t agencies, say the writers.

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