Over 1,400 rape cases dropped by police within a year due to insufficient evidence
The cases, which are from April 2023 to March 2024, are linked to incidents where police arrested the suspected perpetrators, but had to release them later.
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JOHANNESBURG - It’s emerged that just over 1,400 rape cases have been dropped by police due to insufficient evidence, between April 2023 and March 2024.
The cases are linked to incidents where police arrested the suspected perpetrators, but had to release them later.
This was revealed on Tuesday in a parliamentary response by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to questions posed by RISE Mzansi.
A total of 1,416 calls for justice remain unanswered.
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According to the latest annual police statistics, on average there are 120 rape cases reported to police every day.
The overwhelming majority of the victims are women.
The president of the social justice group #NotInMyName, Siyabulela Jentile, said law enforcement agencies need to do better at gathering evidence.
“This gross incompetence by the SAPS [South African Police Service] really needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency because we have got very dangerous men walking around our streets - which puts the safety of communities at risk.”
Mchunu also revealed that nine murder cases and 18 cases of hijacking were also withdrawn due to insufficient evidence during the 2023 / 2024 financial year.