KZN police make 217 arrests for crimes against women and children in June

Two life terms and a total of 15 years were handed down to rapists in five rape cases finalised in different regional courts in KZN in June.

There were also numerous arrests made during June for crimes against women and children.

According to SAPS spokesperson for KZN, Colonel Thembeka Mbele, 217 suspects aged between 11 and 80 were arrested for gender related crimes and are now attending court.

“Police are working tirelessly to solve criminal acts directed at women and children,” said Mbele.

“Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units secured two terms of life imprisonment and a total of 15 years imprisonment during the month of June 2020.”

Mbele added that detectives in KZN are determined to bring those who harm women to book describing their intense work on these types of cases as “obstinacy”.

“The community is urged to report sexual offences and not to allow the perpetrators to intimidate them,” added Mbele.

Public violence

In separate cases, the Durban Regional Court sentenced eight men for charges of public violence.

“Their sentence came after the court heard how they obstructed traffic and caused public violence on Sydney Road, ” said Mbele.

Their cases related to an instance in March last year when the men took park in a trucking protest.

“It is alleged on 25 March 2019 at 2.30pm, a group of men wearing regalia of the ATDF, embarked on protest action blockading the road and preventing the trucks from operating at Bayhead,” said Mbele.

Police from Umbilo SAPS as well as Durban Public Order Police responded to the scene of the disturbance.

“A total of eight protesters were placed under arrest and charged for public violence,” explained Mbele. “They made several court appearances until their sentence.”

“The court sentenced Sanele Sangweni (22), Lungelo Ngubane (30), Nduduzo Madonsela (26), Melusi Hlongwane (27), Ishmael Nkosi (27), Sphelele Mbanjwa (26), Vuyo Sakhile (24) and Mnoneleni Sakhile (23) each to a fine of R8000 or eight months imprisonment, suspended for five years.”