Police arrests 201 suspects in crackdown on GBV
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has intensified its nationwide crackdown on gender-based violence and sexual crimes, arresting 201 rape suspects over the past week.
Among them, 56 were wanted individuals, further underscoring the police’s commitment to tackling this persistent scourge.
In a disturbing case, a couple in Bloubergstrand was arrested for the alleged sexual abuse of their young daughters.
Police have confirmed that investigations are ongoing and that additional charges may follow.
SAPS spokesperson Amanda van Wyk highlighted the growing list of convictions, noting that police efforts are not only leading to arrests but also resulting in harsh sentences for convicted offenders.
"We are relentless in our mission to remove sexual predators from our communities," van Wyk stated.
One of the most significant convictions this month includes serial rapist Lesley Morwamashobe Mohlala (33), who was sentenced by the Polokwane High Court to 222 years’ imprisonment for multiple counts of rape and aggravated robbery.
Other recent convictions include:
- A 42-year-old man, sentenced to life imprisonment by the East London High Court for raping a 13-year-old girl who later became pregnant because of the assault.
- A 51-year-old offender, sentenced to life imprisonment by the Bloemfontein Regional Court for raping his 10-year-old niece while on parole for a prior rape conviction — a factor that weighed heavily in the court's sentencing decision.
- A 25-year-old man from Tshiozwi, Limpopo, sentenced by the Watervaal Regional Court to life in prison for the 2021 rape of his nine-year-old cousin.
In another ongoing investigation, a 24-year-old suspect was arrested by the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit in Tonga, Mpumalanga, on Wednesday, in connection with the gang rape of a 27-year-old woman earlier this week.
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