Operation Shanela II resulted in 235 arrests for assault and 21 arrests for rape, with police saying the figures include suspects traced through ongoing investigations and older cases. Free State police are attributing these figures in part to more survivors coming forward to report gender-based violence.

Free State police spokesperson Sgt Mahlomola Kareli says it is encouraging that more people are now willing to stand up and report these crimes, as the situation was different in the past. “We did not experience this rate of reporting because people did not want to speak about these kinds of incidents.

Sgt Mahlomola Kareli. Photo supplied

“If you stand up and say you were a victim of rape, people start looking at you as if you are the one who caused it to happen. Most of the rape cases you will find involve perpetrators who are living with the victims at home; they are family-linked,” says Kareli.

“Areas that are affected the most in the Free State include places such as Bloemspruit, where some people are living in less conducive environments. However, we are not saying that an environment determines whether people commit crime. According to the crime reports we receive, many cases originate from those areas.”

It is no longer easy for people to withdraw cases, especially when it comes to sexual offences. “It’s difficult for victims to drop cases now because you have to go and withdraw it in front of the magistrate, so it’s not like before, specifically with cases such as rape.” 

The police have partnered with other external stakeholders to ensure victims who fear reporting rape or domestic violence have access to support services where they will be treated with dignity and receive assistance throughout the entire process.

“For people who are afraid to report domestic violence to the police, we do have care centres that we have partnered with, such as Thuthuzela Care Centres. These centres have social workers and representatives from the NPA who assist and support victims throughout the process,” he says.

OFM News/Siyakholwa Mbatyazwa sm

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