Police ramp up GBV arrests with over 100 rape suspects apprehended nationwide
Over 180 suspects arrested in police’s latest 90-day blitz to tackle gender-based violence and femicide across South Africa.
The police are escalating their fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) with targeted operations and ongoing investigations across the country.
In the past week alone, law enforcement arrested 100 suspects for rape and 16 for attempted rape.
This sweeping action forms part of a 90-day blitz designed to bring perpetrators to justice and reinforce public confidence in the police.
In a media statement, it was reported that Gauteng recorded the highest number of arrests, with additional suspects tracked down in other provinces.
The police also successfully apprehended 67 wanted rape suspects through various tracing operations.
These arrests reflect the police’s unwavering commitment to fighting GBVF, protecting vulnerable communities, and ensuring justice for survivors.
Alongside these arrests, the police continue to secure key convictions in GBVF-related cases through the work of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit.
In one of the most severe sentences to date, the Bloemfontein Regional Court handed down life imprisonment to a 45-year-old man found guilty of multiple counts of rape involving a minor. The crimes were committed in October 2023.
Another significant conviction was secured in Sasolburg, where 30-year-old Tumelo Christian Khotha was sentenced to 26 years in prison for the rape and assault of a 17-year-old girl in March 2022. His sentence followed detailed investigations and a successful court prosecution.
Additional life sentences were issued in KwaZulu-Natal, where a 48-year-old grandfather and a 45-year-old uncle were found guilty in separate incidents of sexually abusing minor family members.
The Mtubatuba Regional Court heard that the grandfather had repeatedly raped his granddaughter since 2020 at their Dukuduku home. In a separate case, the uncle was convicted of sexually abusing his niece in Ezibayeni.
In a case involving child pornography, the Bloemfontein Regional Court sentenced 29-year-old Andre Meyer to three years’ imprisonment, suspended for five years. Meyer had photographed a 12-year-old boy while the child was using a school toilet, an act that led to his conviction for creating explicit content involving a minor.
The police reaffirmed their dedication to addressing crimes against women, children, and people with disabilities.
The service noted it remains focused on ensuring perpetrators are held accountable and victims are supported through the justice system.
“The police remain dedicated to protecting children’s rights and ensuring justice for victims of sexual crimes, especially women, children and people living with disabilities,” the statement read.
