Women must refrain from opening false rape cases after they had a fallout with a man.
This is according to Det-Sgt Palesa Monagane from the police’s Family Violence, Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS).
Sgt Monagane warned women during a 16 Days of Activism for Awareness against Women and Child Abuse campaign held in Charl Cilliers’ multi-purpose centre on Wednesday, December 1.
She said women must be aware that if it is found that a false rape case was opened, they can be charged with perjury and jailed.
Sgt Monagane also warned women not to that leave their children with their grandmothers without necessities for the children.
She said they will be arrested and a child neglect case will be opened against them.
“You leave your child in the hands of a pensioner and go to shebeens or to a boyfriend for days?
“Let me warn you, your grannie is not a nanny. Hire a nanny who will look after your child while you are busy entertaining yourself.
“Our grandmothers are suffering, they don’t enjoy their pension money because of young women who leave their children without food and go entertain themselves.
“Men can also be victims of abuse when false rape cases are opened because the man failed to pay what was agreed upon,” said Sgt Monagane.
Pensioners used the campaign to talk about their daily challenges and to tell the police and other stakeholders that they are being abused by their grandchildren.
Some complained that their grandchildren always take their monthly pension money, leaving the elderly without the means to buy food for themselves.
“I am tired of my unemployed grandchild who always demands my pension money. The police must help me because he threatens to beat me if I do not give in to him.
“We plead with our government to create employment for our grandchildren because our lives are in danger,” said one of the pensioners.
Ms Thembisile Msibi, Evander Court intermediary, encouraged the pensioners to visit the courthouse and to apply for a protection order against anyone who is abusing them.
She said once they get protection orders, the police can arrest the person if he or she contravenes that order.
Thuthuzela Care Centre also presented its programmes that assist victims of rape and other sexual offences.
