Mpumalanga Police shows commitment in combating gender-based violence
“These three incidents, amongst others, are an indication of the commitment and dedication of the foot soldiers to reinforce safety for the communities. I applaud the effort made by police members throughout Mpumalanga, working in partnership with other stakeholders such as the National Prosecuting Authority.”
It is not a secret that gender-based violence (GBV) is a profound and widespread problem in South Africa, affecting almost every aspect of life.
GBV, which mostly have an affect on women and girls, is systemic, and deeply entrenched in institutions, cultures and traditions in South Africa.
It is no surprise then that the provincial commissioner of the police in Mpumalanga, Lieut-Gen Semakaleng Manamela is delighted about the suspects of gender-based violence who appeared before various courts across Mpumalanga during the previous week.
A 40-year-old man was convicted and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment by the Delmas Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, September 15, for the attempted rape of his four-year-old niece living with a disability.
The incident is said to have occurred on February 10.
The court sentenced the accused after hearing that on the said day, the young girl was left in her grandmother’s care as her mom was going to work night shift.
The uncle attempted to rape the girl but was disturbed when the mother returned from work.
The girl’s mother was terrified when she met the accused rushing out of the room where the girl was sleeping and he was apparently fiddling with his trousers. He, however, fled and never returned home after that incident.
The concerned mother decided to take the young girl to a medical facility for examination after which the matter was then reported the Delmas Police and a case was opened.
The case was assigned to the Witbank Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit for investigation.
The suspect was sought and arrested, and eventually successfully convicted.
In another successful battle against GBV, two men appeared before the Nkomazi Magistrate’s Court on allegations of murdering an SANDF woman officer.
“It came as a shock when the husband was among two suspects in the murder of Ms Nondumiso Nicollin Mabila,” said Lieut-Gen Manamela in a media statement on September 19.
“The Tonga Police worked around the clock to ensure that those responsible for the murder are brought to book. The two suspects, Mr Ndumiso Mabila, (31) and Mr Thabo Mambane, aged 21 were remanded in custody and will again appear before the court for a formal bail application on September 27.
In a third incident, a 23-year-old man suspected to be behind the rape and robbery incidents in Nkomazi abandoned his bail application when he made his second appearance before the Matsulu Periodical Court on Monday on September 13. His case was postponed to November 11.
“These three incidents, amongst others, are an indication of the commitment and dedication of the foot soldiers to reinforce safety for the communities. I applaud the effort made by police members throughout Mpumalanga, working in partnership with other stakeholders such as the National Prosecuting Authority,” Lieut-Gen Manamela added.
