According to Police Minister Bheki Cele, South Africa recorded 5 935 rape incidents between October and December 2022.
The Minister stated that the reported rape cases occurred at the perpetrator/residence, victim’s including residences known by victims/ perpetrators, when releasing the 2022/23 third quarter crime statistics. These people included family, friends, and neighbors.
During the same time period, he stated that 4 992 people were arrested for gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) and other crimes. Sexual offenses increased by 9.6% in three months.
All sexual offenses were reduced by 25.4%.
Over the course of three months, 71 accused were sentenced to life in prison for sexual crimes.
In addition, 219 accused were sentenced to one to nine years in prison, for a total of 1079 years in prison.
Another 143 defendants were sentenced to ten to nineteen years in prison, for a total of two thousand six hundred years in prison.
Another 67 people were sentenced to 20 years or more in prison for GBVF-related crimes.
The Minister welcomed the sentencing of Tazne Van Wyk’s killer, who was sentenced this week to nine life sentences and 259 and a half years in prison for the gruesome murder and rape of the young girl.
The Minister emphasized the importance of communities working together to combat crime.
“It remains a betrayal of humanity, when it comes to the prevention and combating of GBVF, to look away and ignore abuse and violence of anyone, let alone women, children, and other vulnerable groups in society,” he said.
He stated that recording videos on cellphones and sharing them on social media cannot be considered a normal response to the country’s pandemic.
“When you see something, say something and do something about it. Information from communities is crucial and can assist in police investigations.”
Despite the bleak picture, Cele stated that police were improving their operational and legislative responses to GBV.
“The Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Act, also known as the (DNA Act),” will go into effect on March 3, 2023.
“The DNA Act is a critical tool in the police’s arsenal of crime-fighting tools against GBVF, particularly in terms of identifying offenders,” said the Minister.
He claimed that this legislation would keep serial rapists off the streets.
“It is our determination to bring perpetrators of violence against women, children, and vulnerable groups to justice,” he said.
Statistics show that all sexual offenses have decreased by 25.4%.
Crime Classification
Figures
Rape
9.8%
Sexual Abuse
4.1%
Sexual Offenses Attempted
45.6%
Please contact Sexual Offenses.
-25.4%
»Records shows an outrageous increase in the number of rape case at the end of last year«