Cele: More than 400 women, girls raped at schools
Police Minister Bheki Cele says the number of women raped at schools and on state property is a cause for concern.
According to Cele, the 2019/20 stats show that close to 400 women were raped at education institutions and close to 20 were raped on government premises.
Speaking on the virtual African National Congress’ (ANC) Men’s Dialogue on Friday, Cele said gender-based violence remains a top policing priority.
“Of the rape in the year 2019/20, 18 231 people were raped in the residency’s they know, in the residence of the perpetrator, in the residence of the victim, next-door, in their families, which means they’re raped by people they know. So we’ll have to bring community really on board on this one,” said Cele.
“Another worrying factor that we’ll have to look at very closely is that about 380 were raped at educational institutions but also worse, 16 of them were raped on the government premises which means we don’t have to look far. We’ll need to look around us and look around everywhere to put these programmes going forward.”
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This follows the recent killing of a Normadien couple. Glen and Vida Rafferty were attacked in their home on Saturday night. They were ambushed as they returned to their farm from a social visit. Their killers ransacked their home and killed their dog as they waited for them to return.
Last year, an internal investigation by the South African Post Office revealed that it was informed about the criminal record of the man accused of raping and killing 19-year-old Uyinene Mrwetyana.
Mrwetyana was raped at Claremont Post Office.
Cele added the rape and murder of children also needs urgent redress.
“In the year 2009 when I was given the temporary job of being a National Commissioner of South African Police, what was my vision was that when in the middle of the night a young woman walks alone without the fear of being assaulted, attacked or raped by any other person.
“That vision is still there. That vision will have to be driven by all men,” he said.