Concerted efforts by specialist detectives attached to the George Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual offences (FCS) unit to ensure that perpetrators of sexual related offences are brought to book, led to the arrest of five suspects in connection with sexual offence incidents reported in the Garden Route District the past week.
Investigation into the rape of a 13-year-old physically challenged girl led to the arrest of a 28-year-old suspect at Zone 7, Thembalethu. It is alleged that the girl disappeared from their residence on 31 July 2022 and was found in a shack in the vicinity the following day where she was allegedly sexually violated. Police later arrested the occupant of the residence on a charge of rape.
Meanwhile, the FCS unit also arrested a 52-year-old suspect after he was positively linked to an incident reported at Kranshoek on 24 July 2022. Investigation reveals that the 26-year-old victim walked along the gravel road when she was approached by the suspect who assaulted her before he forced himself onto the victim and raped her.
In another matter, Kwanokuthula police responded to an incident at Nyhakhatyha Street, Kwanokuthula on 02 August at about 22:00. It is alleged that the victim (35) was on her way home when she was accosted by three men. They allegedly took her to a house where two of them violated her. Both suspects, aged 26 and 28, were later arrested on charges of rape.
In Conville, the unit also arrested a 43-year-old suspect after he assaulted and raped his 31-year-old girlfriend on 2 August 2022.
In addition to these arrests, various police units in Mossel Bay embarked on an integrated awareness campaign the past weekend to sensitize communities about the scourge of Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) and also advised on assistance for those affected.
Police stations in Mossel Bay kicked of their Women’s month activities with an integrated vehicle check points in and around Mossel Bay, comprising Mossel Bay Municipality, Provincial and Local Traffic, Department of Correctional Services, Department of Social Development, Community Police Forum structures and neighbourhood watch volunteers. The deployment at these roaming vehicle check points, mainly including female members. The partners distributed information packages on safety tips at the different service points.
Western Cape police management commended the teams for their efforts to bring these perpetrators to book and those who partake in planned activities during this month. GBVF remains a priority for police and all efforts are being made to eradicate this scourge which threatens the safety of our most vulnerable communities.
