Pretoria - Various family violence, child protection and sexual offences (FCS) units in KwaZulu-Natal have arrested a total of 173 alleged sexual offenders in the province over the past two weeks.
The offences the suspects were arrested for include rape, indecent assault, housebreaking with intent to rape, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, kidnapping, possession of unlicensed firearm, domestic violence, child abandonment, and child neglect.
A total of 16 dockets were finalised, where the rapists were convicted and sentenced by various courts in the province to a total of 103 years in jail.
One accused was sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape that he committed during December last year.
Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni, said the convictions were a result of the dedicated FCS units that effectively investigate crimes involving vulnerable women and children.
Ngobeni expressed confidence in the judicial system, which has meted out “befitting sentences to these rapists”.
“The sentences handed down will send a clear message to like-minded would-be offenders that the police will trace, arrest and successfully prosecute them.
“KwaZulu-Natal police will endeavour with all its resources to prevent crimes against women and children, and make the province a safer place,” she said. - SAnews.gov.za
