As the country observes the annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has undertaken to profile the work of its outstanding members.
Today the spotlight is on Sergeant Nombi Peter, a detective attached to the Mangaung Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit in the Free State. She also forms part of the Mangaung District’s serial rape task team.
Peter’s childhood dream of becoming a police officer came true when she was enlisted in the service 14 years ago as a student constable.
She holds a degree in Forensic Investigation (2022), a diploma in policing (2016) and has completed various internal courses.
To date, Peter's sterling investigations have led to a collective number of five life terms and 305 years in prison for 31 rapists, who are now behind bars.
Peter joined the Mangaung FCS in 2018. Her recent career highlights include the sentencing of a 28-year-old convicted rapist to 20 years imprisonment by the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on 18 October 2023 for the rape of a 13-year-old girl.
The accused was found guilty of rape, kidnapping and assault to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH). The accused attacked the victim at Phase Six informal settlement, Mangaung, in March 2021. He forcefully dragged the victim into his shack where he repeatedly raped her until he let her go the following day.
The accused threatened the victim by saying he would kill her if she discloses the incident to anyone.
A month later, the victim fell ill at school, which led to the discovery of her being pregnant following a visit to the hospital.
The victim then told her mother what had happened and the police were alerted. The case was assigned to Peter, who immediately commenced with her investigation.
The accused was arrested the same day and appeared before court where he was granted bail.
The accused, a Lesotho national, contravened his bail conditions and failed to appear in court. Peter left no stone unturned and through information she obtained, she re-arrested the accused in Phomolong earlier this year.
The accused remained in custody until he was sentenced. Peter says she resonates with victims of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) and along with her team, they continuously conduct campaigns within the communities they serve to create awareness on topics such as domestic violence, different forms of abuse, how to apply for a protection order and what to do when you are a victim of rape.
"Being a FCS investigator is my calling, therefore, I go beyond my desk and office hours to catch rapists. I urge community members to report crime to their nearest police station for investigations to commence immediately,” Peter said.
Peter flies the South African Police Service’s flag high as she continues to put more rapists behind bars. – SAnews.gov.za
