Women cops lead charge on netting girls’ rapist
Local police work to reduce crime.
A WOMEN-centric policing operation in South Durban led to the arrest of a man for the rape of a young girl on Thursday, 20 August.
Operation Basadi Ba Fiela, a national programme, saw 20 officers from the Brighton Beach SAPS cluster (Brighton Beach, Wentworth, Montclair, Cato Manor, Mayville and Umbilo) take to the streets.
“The aim of the operation was for women from various law enforcement agencies to be on the forefront and provide maximum participation in various disciplines such as in community service centres, conducting stop and search activities, crime prevention activities, vehicle and foot patrols, tracing of wanted persons and creating awareness on the vulnerabilities of women, teenage girls and old aged persons within the precincts,” said Brighton Beach SAPS communications officer, Captain Louise Le Roux.
During the operation, members of the Brighton Beach Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offence unit tracked down and arrested a 22-year-old man wanted for the rape of an 11-year-old girl.
Robbery prevention and smash and grab prevention patrols were held along Grimsby and South Coast roads, by the Rossburgh Bridge and in Umbilo Park. The officers stopped and searched people in host spots throughout the six policing areas with 42 cars and 70 people searched.
Patrols were held at various malls in the communities.
The operation also gave the officers an opportunity to educate others on the challenges facing South Africa women and domestic violence through brochures handed out at Wentworth and Clairwood hospitals.
“The SAPS thanks the law enforcement agencies for their partnership on the day and the women and men in blue for their enthusiasm on the day and the manner in which duties were diligently executed,” said Capt Le Roux.
