Johannesburg - More than 1 700 people were convicted of sexual offences in the past year with 266 receiving life sentences.
Police spokesperson Colonel Athlenda Mathe said on Monday the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Investigations (FCS) detectives’ dedication and commitment in preventing, combating and investigating sexual offence-related crimes has been successful.
“The successful prosecution and 356 life imprisonment sentences handed down to 266 sexual offences perpetrators in the past year bears testament to this,” Mathe said.
The spokesperson said that about 1 733 accused persons were convicted, about 5 008 20-year sentences were handed down to 189 accused, 487 accused were handed 8 166 sentences ranging from 10 to 19 years’ imprisonment and 791 accused were handed 3 717 sentences ranging from 1 to 9 years’ imprisonment.
“These convictions will ensure that sexual offences perpetrators will no longer roam the streets of South Africa freely, terrorising people on all levels of society, especially our children,” she said.
Mathe said a highlight of the convictions was the case of 30-year-old Mpho Radebe who was handed down five life imprisonment sentences by the Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court for the rape of five women in the Lenasia and Orange Farm areas between 2013 and 2015.
“According to all his victims, the suspect was an unknown person who managed to overpower them in an open veld where he would rape them either at gun or knife point,” she said.
She added that in Mpumalanga, a 44-year-old father was handed down two life sentences for the rape of his two children aged seven and 11 by the Nelspruit High Court on August 25, 2020.
“The mother of the two children was also sentenced to five years imprisonment for failing to report the abuse to authorities. The pair were arrested after a teacher at both children’s school reported the matter to police after one of the children confessed to the abuse,” Mathe said.
The FCS, which was re-established in 2010, has 176 units across the country with nine Serial and Electronic Crime Investigation Units.
“While its sole purpose and mandate is to ensure the effective, efficient prevention, investigation of FCS-related crimes, bringing closure to victims of GBV and their families remains at the heart of the unit’s existence,” Mathe said.
Mathe expressed appreciation to the men and women in blue for ensuring the conviction of these criminals and said with the hefty life sentences handed down, the possibility of them harassing and victimising society is reduced to zero.
“To the communities we serve, we hope you recognize our efforts and endeavours in the fight against crime,” she said.
The National Commissioner of the SAPS General Khehla John Sitole also praised the members of departments within the Criminal Justice Systems for their commitment.l
“While these convictions won’t bring back those we lost, we hope these life sentences will serve as a deterrent to those who continue to take advantage of our innocent women, children and vulnerable groups,” Sitole said.
“I salute all of you and urge you to continue with the extraordinary work that you do in ensuring that together we build safer communities,” he said.
The Star