KZN police praised for abuse convictions

More than 100 criminals were sentenced to life imprisonment for sexual offences and crimes of abuse against women, children and the elderly in KwaZulu-Natal from January to November this year, while the figure nationally stood at 362 for the same period.

The figures were revealed by Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa while visiting Mpophomeni, near Howick on Monday.

Mthethwa applauded the SAPS family violence, child protection and sexual offences units, which were reintroduced last year, for securing the convictions and sentences.

“Since the introduction of these units, we have noted some encouragement as some provinces are progressively capacitated to function effectively, whereas in others there are still challenges.”

He said he was encouraged to hear that 108 life sentences had been handed to sexual offenders in KwaZulu-Natal, despite various challenges facing members of the units.

“Instead of allowing the challenging environment to dampen their commitment, these dedicated members rose against all odds and spearheaded our fight against women and children abusers. We applaud their efforts and believe we shall continue to make progress in dealing with this sensitive crime,” he said.

Mthethwa said he had been made aware of the challenges facing the units and assured them that they would be addressed soon.

“To this end, I have instructed the acting national police commissioner and his management to prioritise this matter. We want to ensure that the units are allocated appropriate resources and capacity and they must be based at police stations, because that is where victims of crime require assistance,” he said. – Pietermaritzburg Bureau