Picture: SECI investigator, Sergeant Vuyokazi Bayi/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
5 August 2026 – As the country celebrate Women’s Month, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said it will profile inspiring women in policing whose courage, compassion and unwavering commitment to leading with integrity are advancing the SAPS Reset Agenda by delivering quality investigations, putting victims first and ensuring perpetrators are brought to justice. The SAPS introduced the nation to Sergeant Vuyokazi Bayi (45), an investigator attached to the Serial and Electronic Crime Investigation (SECI) Unit in the Eastern Cape.
Born and raised in Zwelitsha, Bayi’s journey began at King William’s Town Flying Squad when she joined the police service as a constable in 2012. Those first years pursuing suspects at high speed laid the foundation for a career that would place her at the forefront of the fight against crimes committed against women and children.
The Eastern Cape police spokesperson, Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana said Bayi developed a passion for investigating and solving crime, which led her to join the Zwelitsha Detective Service as an investigator. Gantana said in 2020, she joined the King William’s Town Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, where she investigated sexual offence cases.
“Passion met purpose when Bayi joined the Eastern Cape Serial and Electronic Crime Investigation (SECI) Unit two years ago. As a SECI investigator, she investigates serial rape cases and sexual crimes committed through electronic platforms, ensuring that offenders who prey on vulnerable victims are identified, traced and successfully prosecuted.
“A recent success includes the sentencing of Lesotho national, Lechasa Glass (32) to indefinite imprisonment following his latest conviction on six counts of rape. The court also declared him a dangerous criminal in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act,” she said.
Gantana further said Glass is no stranger to the courts. She added that on 24 May 2024, he was convicted on 24 counts, including multiple rapes and robberies with aggravating circumstances committed against women and children in the Addo and Joubertina areas between 2015 and 2022.
“His previous sentences included six life terms of imprisonment together with multiple fixed-term sentences. Despite already being incarcerated, further DNA analysis linked Glass to three additional dockets involving the rape of a girl (16) in Addo, a girl (13) in Joubertina and a woman (23).
“In total, DNA evidence connected Glass to 16 separate cases. On 14 April 2026, Glass was found guilty on all six counts across the three additional cases. Following psychiatric observation, the court found that he was mentally fit, acted intentionally and displayed no remorse,” said Gantana.
She said on 4 June 2026, Glass was sentenced to imprisonment after being declared a dangerous criminal in terms of Sections 286A and 286B of the Criminal Procedure Act. Gantana said the court further directed that Glass be brought before the same court after the expiry of 23 years from 4 June 2026, for reconsideration of his sentence.
“Bayi, together with her colleague, Warrant Officer Sonwabile Dlomo, conducted a meticulous investigation, with their effective use of DNA technology proving instrumental in linking Glass to these cases and securing the convictions. Their work demonstrates how disciplined investigations, teamwork and scientific policing continue to strengthen the criminal justice system and restore public confidence in SAPS.
“A final-year student, Bayi will soon graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Police Science and is currently completing an internal course on Psychologically Motivated Crime at the SAPS Academy in Hammanskraal,” she said.
Gantana said Bayi embodies the values of the SAPS Reset Agenda by leading with integrity, serving with compassion, embracing professionalism and relentlessly pursuing justice for victims of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). She said through officers like her, SAPS continues to strengthen public trust, uphold the rule of law and build a safer South Africa where every woman and girl can live free from fear.
“Throughout Women’s Month, SAPS will continue profiling women across different policing environments whose leadership, integrity and commitment to service are driving organisational renewal, strengthening accountability and advancing the SAPS Reset Agenda.
“Their stories reflect a modern police service that places communities first, values professionalism and remains steadfast in protecting the people of South Africa,” said Gantana.
Meanwhile, Bayi believes continuous learning equips investigators with the knowledge and skills needed to better protect women, children and vulnerable communities.
“To every woman wearing the badge: never underestimate your strength. Your compassion is not a weakness, it is one of your greatest strengths. Your professionalism, determination and integrity inspire those around you and help build safer communities,” she said.
The Guardian 