The police urge residents to stop withdrawing cases
The cases where SAPS identified this pattern are domestic-related and include malicious damage to property and assaults.
Duduza – The police are concerned about the high number of cases opened and then withdrawn by complainants at court just a few days after opening them.
Many complainants report cases, but after the police arrest the perpetrator, the same complainants withdraw them.
Duduza police spokesperson Sergeant Harry Manaka said the cases where they identified this pattern are domestic-related and include malicious damage to property and assaults.
“As the police, our main objective is preventing, combating and investigating crime.
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“We are mandated to act when a crime has been committed. This includes the arrest of suspected persons linked to the crime.
“However, it is concerning that most cases are withdrawn by complainants the very next morning after a person has been arrested,” he added.
Manaka said this not only amounted to time and resources wasted but also delayed and affected the provision of services to people who need them.
“We urge the community to desist from withdrawing cases, especially when a person has been arrested, and allow the cases to be deferred for mediation or other means prescribed by courts,” he added.
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