Hundreds of suspects have been arrested since the beginning of the year in connection with several crimes committed against women and children in KwaZulu-Natal.

Detectives managed to secure 331 arrests out of the 681 cases they have received from January 1, 2022 for crimes ranging from rape, statutory rape, kidnapping, abduction, human trafficking, child abandonment, sexual exploitation, neglect, concealment of birth, attempted murder, assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, child neglect and indecent exposure.

“Communities are commended for their efforts in identifying suspicious behaviour and for reporting their cases to the police. This timeous reporting has proven to be most effective in recovering the necessary evidence required to secure the arrests and appearance of the perpetrators in courts.

“These efforts have secured 29 convictions, which included ten life sentences and a total of 256 years of imprisonment for the many accused, who have appeared in various courts within the KwaZulu-Natal province. Many cases are still awaiting trial in court which will result in more suspects being charged and sentenced for their crimes,” said provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Thembeka Mbele.

Many people witness these activities and allow themselves to be trapped in abusive relationships, which will see themselves as well as their children being harmed, she noted.

“The MySAPS app has created a platform where victims of crime and community members can report criminal activity to police and remain anonymous. Police urge all citizens to make use of this initiative which aims to reduce the effects of these violent crimes and criminals, who work tirelessly to torment their communities into living in fear under their rule,” she concluded.