Lauren Isaacs22 May 2024 | 13:49

Child protection a daily focus for officers - SAPS

The South African Police Service (SAPS) said that child protection was a daily focus for its officers by ensuring that perpetrators were put behind bars.

Child protection a daily focus for officers - SAPS

Picture: X/SAPS

CAPE TOWN - The South African Police Service (SAPS) said that child protection was a daily focus for its officers by ensuring that perpetrators were put behind bars. 

Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu launched Child Protection Week in Kimberley on Sunday. 

Over the past year, the police's Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Investigations unit led investigations that resulted in 2,300 convictions and almost 20,000 arrests for gender-based violence and femicide, including crimes against children. 

The police's Athlenda Mathe: "Three hundred and twenty-one accused were sentenced to life in prison. Two hundred and ninety-six accused were sentenced to 20 years and more imprisonment. Six hundred and eleven accused were sentenced for a time period ranging from 10 to 19 years imprisonment. In terms of the arrests, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape registered the most arrests."