The Democratic Alliance Women’s Network (DAWN) in Limpopo is deeply concerned by the 97.6% increase in sexual offences from the same period last year, registered in the 2021/22 South African Police Service (SAPS) 1st quarter Crime Statistics.
Limpopo recorded a total of 1075 sexual offences with all categories increasing from the 2020/21 1st quarter stats. There were 899 rape cases (98% increase), 102 sexual assault cases (88.9% increase), 60 attempted sexual offences (106.9% increase) and 14 cases of contact sexual offences (100% increase).
Limpopo had four police stations namely Thohoyandou, Giyani, Mankweng and Seshego ranked in the top 30 stations nationwide for sexual offences, with Thohoyandou ranked 5th , Giyani ranked 21st , Mankweng ranked 25th and Seshego ranked 26th.
In the same year’s stats Limpopo has five stations in the country’s top 30 stations for rape offences, Thohoyandou is ranked 5th (60 cases), Giyani ranked 17th (42 cases), Seshego ranked 23rd (39 cases), Mahwelereng ranked 26th (38 cases) and Mankweng 28th (37 cases).
These horrifying statistics are exacerbated by the fact that Limpopo has the highest number nationally for rapes that occurred in public places (street, open field, park etc) with 343 cases. This highlights the brazen attitude of perpetrators, most likely spurred on by the province’s insufficient police action.
The large increases in sexual offences prove that women are not and do not feel safe in their homes as well as on the streets due to the ANC-led government’s failure to ensure their safety. These statistics also explain the public’s loss of faith and confidence in the SAPS.
It is very disheartening that the province records such dismal figures during Women’s Month. This should be a period where we take part in celebrating the achievements and progress toward gender equality, socio-economic empowerment of women, defeating gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide
DAWN will hand over its petition against GBV and femicide to the President’s office at the Union Buildings, at the end of August. We are committed to ensure government addresses the current culture of abuse towards women, and more importantly to start addressing the toxic masculinity that is deeply entrenched in our society.