North West police spokesperson, Adele Myburgh, says the 44 suspects were arrested along with close to 250 other people for other unrelated offences including assault, robbery and malicious damage to property in raiding operations between Wednesday and Thursday this week. 

In light of August being Women’s Month, OFM News spoke to AJ Cilliers from the SAPS’ Family, Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offenses Unit in the Free State on Friday regarding investigations into crimes committed against women. Cilliers stresses the importance of reporting sexual offences because “if it is not reported, it would mean that a potential sexual offender would go free and the matter won't be addressed in terms of the justice system”. 

He adds that should women find themselves to be victims of such offences, especially younger women, they should confide in someone they trust, a friend, teacher or psychologist.

The suspects are expected to appear at various courts within the province on Monday, 5 August 2019.

OFM News