SA Police Service [SAPS]

Uncle rapes niece of 14, gets 20 years

Yesterday, 25 February a 40-year-old uncle was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment by the Ngwelezane Regional Court for raping his niece. On during September 2012 the victim (14) was with her uncle at their home when he sent by her to buy cigarettes from a nearby shop. When the victim returned, she was raped by the accused in his room. He then promised to buy her anything she wants and told her not to tell anyone because he will stop providing the family with food. He raped the victim repeatedly on separate occasions until the victim became tired of his acts and reported the matter in January 2013. A case was opened at Empangeni police station and the docket was taken by Empangeni Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit for further investigation. Through investigation, the accused was arrested and charged with rape in March 2013.

“This is a fitting sentence for the rapists who attack and raped vulnerable women and children. This will serve as a warning to those who thought they will escape the long arm of the law. We encourage our young children not to be intimidated by these criminals,” said provincial commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal Lt General Mmamonnye Ngobeni. – SA Police News Service

More than 1000 suspects arrested in Kwazulu-Natal

KwaZulu-Natal police have embarked on a number of operations for the past five days starting from 26 November 2013 to 1 December in preparation for the Festive Season. These operations included stop and search, roadblocks, cordon and search, tracing of wanted suspects, illegal firearm raids and high police visibility operations.

A total of 1121 suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from murder, attempted murder, rape, business robbery, house robbery, hijacking, theft of motor vehicles, assault, possession of unlicensed firearms, possession of drugs as well as other petty offences. During the operations, drugs, alcohol and knives were seized. A total of 55 firearms and 24 rounds of ammunition were seized during these operations. Police recovered rifles, pistols, shotguns and homemade firearms and these firearms will be sent for ballistic tests to determine if they were used in any other crimes in the country. The arrested suspects appeared in various courts around the province.

The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni applauded these successes that were conducted over the past weekend. “This is just a taste of what we can expect over the Festive Season. We will be increasing our operations throughout the Province and you can expect to see more police officials on the street. We will limit the opportunity for criminals to commit crime or flee after they have committed a crime,’ she said. – South African Police Service

Police shoots boy, 12, during protest

A 12-year-old boy was shot and wounded during a protest in Jabulani, Soweto, Gauteng police said on Tuesday.

Warrant Officer Kay Makhubela said the boy was shot on Friday.

“It is alleged the boy was shot in the head. By yesterday [Monday] he was still in hospital.

“We do not know who shot him, [it is] between the Johannesburg metro police and the SA Police Service [SAPS]. We are investigating…”

He said residents protested on Friday, demanding that speed bumps be erected on roads, as cars were driving at high speed in the area.

Makhubela said a case of attempted murder was opened on Monday after the police traced the boy’s family.

He said there was a public disturbance during the protest and three people were arrested.

“The three were arrested for malicious damage and public violence. They appeared in the Protea Magistrate’s Court on Monday.”

He said the case was postponed to Monday, when they were expected to bring a formal bail application. – Sapa