Disciplinary action against Khayelitsha SAPS officer

PRESS RELEASE BY ALBERT FRITZ

WESTERN CAPE MINISTER OF COMMUNITY SAFETY

Date: 25 June 2020

Release: immediately

Disciplinary action against Khayelitsha SAPS officer who turned away alleged rape victim

The Minister of Community Safety, Albert Fritz, welcomes the disciplinary action taken against a SAPS official who turned away a 26-year-old woman on Monday evening. She was allegedly raped and told by the officer to return a day later. Minister Fritz commends the Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Yolisa Matakata, on her decisive and swift action into the matter.

The victim had been travelling to the TR Section in Khayelitsha when the driver changed the route and allegedly raped her. She was reportedly dropped off at an unknown road when she was spotted by an individual who drove her to the local station.

Minister Fritz said, “This disciplinary action sends a strong message to SAPS members that action must be taken against Gender Based Violence (GBV) and domestic abuse, particularly as we are in GBV crisis. SAPS have a duty to protect and serve. Women should not have to suffer the second-hand victimisation of not having their cases attended to or being mistreated when reporting GBV at police stations. I look forward to the outcome of the disciplinary.”

According to the Provincial SAPS, a preliminary investigation into the matter has taken place. The report suggests that the victim visited the Khayelitsha SAPS station in Site B on Monday.

Subsequent to social media posts indicating that the victim had not been attended to, a senior police official from Khayelitsha SAPS visited the victim’s home on Tuesday afternoon and opened a rape case. The investigation is on-going, and no arrests have been made to date.

Minister Fritz added, “Lieutenant General Matakata is serious about addressing the spate of GBV in our province and I commend her decisive and swift measures, leading to disciplinary action against an employee. This sends a strong message that the SAPS must and will respond to GBV with the seriousness it deserves.”

Please see English audio clip here: https://clyp.it/jtf5zaaa

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