A policeman sentenced to life imprisonment for raping his daughter

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

28 August 2024- A policeman was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Galeshewe Regional Court for raping his daughter (9). The policeman was charged with rape further read with the provisions of Section 51(1) of Part 1 in Schedule 2 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Northern Cape, Mojalefa Senokoatsane said on the night of the incident, 4 July 2023, the accused, the victim and the stepmom slept on the same bed. Senokoatsane said during the night while they were all asleep, the victim felt someone pulling down her underwear and when she tried to pull them up the person kept on pulling them down.

“When she looked at who was pulling her underwear, she noticed that it was her father. Due to his strength, the accused finally managed to address his daughter and began to rape her. She tried to reach out to her stepmom, but the accused grabbed her hand preventing her from reaching out to her stepmom.

“The victim later told the court through her testimony that she was afraid to scream hence she never screamed for help. In the morning when her grandmother came to fetch her from the accused home, the victim informed her grandmother about what her father had done to her,” he said.

Senokoatsane further said the victim was taken for medical examination at the Galeshewe Thuthuzela Care Centre and the Forensic Nurse found/noticed that the victim had indeed been victimised. He added that the assistance of a medical doctor was sought and a second examination was undertaken for a second opinion.

“The doctor’s conclusion was also consistent with penetration. The accused, a police officer attached to one of the specialised units within the police service was arrested and charged with rape of his daughter.

“The NPA envisions that these types of sentences will provide some justice and closure to the victims, as well as their families when these violent criminals are removed from our streets. All cases of sexual violence encroach on the rights to dignity and privacy of the victims as enshrined in our constitution, hence the NPA will continue to aggressively prosecute these types of cases,” said Senokoatsane.

During the trial, the state prosecutor Advocate Shareen Theresa Links argued that the accused betrayed his own daughter, in that instead of being her protector he became her abuser. Links said as a police officer, he should have been a model citizen.

“He should have known that his actions were unbecoming of an officer of the law. The prosecution further argued that the court should sentence the accused to life sentence as he had shown no remorse and that a clear message had to be sent to other perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), particularly those who are entrusted with protecting and upholding the law, that no one is above the law.

“The victim testifying via Intermediary Services and through a Victim Impact Statement compiled with the assistance of Court Prep Officer, Thandi Kraai, detailed and comprehensively described what happened to her on the day and what her father did to her.

“When sentencing the accused, the court found the disgraced police officer and a father guilty of raping his daughter and the court sentenced him to life imprisonment. The accused was declared unfit to possess a firearm. The court also made an order for the accused name to be entered into the National Register of Sexual Offenders,” she said.

Meanwhile, the accused was also declared unfit to work with children.

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SARB urged to look at high interest rate issue

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The SARB building

By REGINALD KANYANE

28 August 2024- The Standing Committee on Finance has called on the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) to seriously look at the issue of the high interest rate, which is making life difficult for both the poor and middle-income earners in South Africa. The SARB briefed the committee today on its mandate, structure, governance and shareholding as part of the committee’s capacity-building workshop.

Furthermore, the presentation covered national payments, financial surveillance and prudential regulation.

The Committee Chairperson, Dr Joe Maswanganyi said that the committee is raising this matter not to instruct the central bank to lower the interest rate, but to consider it an issue that is mostly affecting ordinary people on the ground. Maswanganyi further said the committee has welcomed the SARB presentation and applauded the central bank for ranking 8th on transparency index out of 30 countries globally.

“To this end, the central bank undertook to continue working hard to improve its transparency index globally. Some of the measures taken by the SARB to improve its transparency index include speaking directly with local communities at regional level through forums.

“In 2024, the central bank conducted ten of such forums in Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha, Kimberly, Mahikeng, Mbombela, Polokwane, Sandton and in Soweto,” he said.

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Ditsobotla under mandatory Financial Recovery Plan (FRP)

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Picture: The Ditsobotla Local Municipality

By BAKANG MOKOTO

28 August 2024- The Phase Four implementation of the Re-loaded Thuntsha Lerole Accelerated Service Delivery Programme was launched in Ditsobotla Local Municipality ON 23 August 2024. As part of this intensive programme that is geared towards improving service delivery, North West MEC for Finance, Kenetswe Mosenogi, held a crucial session with officials from the municipality.

The interaction focused on exploring viable solutions to the ongoing challenges faced by the municipality, particularly in light of its current financial crisis. As part of the Provincial Treasury’s intervention, the municipality has been placed under a mandatory Financial Recovery Plan (FRP) by the National Treasury, highlighting the urgent need for immediate and sustainable financial reform.

Mosenogi emphasized the importance of good governance, proper financial management, and robust revenue collection in ensuring that Ditsobotla can effectively serve its residents. She said it is imperative that the municipality adheres to the principles of accountability and transparency in managing public resources.

“Only through consistent and responsible financial practices, we can ensure that the people of Ditsobotla receive the reliable, consistent services they deserve. The Financial Recovery Plan, developed by the National Treasury Municipal Financial Recovery Service, is a binding instrument designed to restore Ditsobotla’s financial stability and enable it to meet its obligations.

“This plan is not merely a guideline but a crucial framework that will determine the municipality’s capacity to deliver essential services. Revenue collection is a key indicator of a functional municipality,” said Mosenogi.

She further said without it, the municipality cannot sustain its operations or deliver services effectively. Mosenogi added that failure to implement this recovery plan, will directly impede their ability to collect revenue, which in turn will compromise the ability to serve the people.

“In the spirit of patriotism and a deep love for Ditsobotla and its people, it is essential that the municipality implements proper internal controls. These controls are not just administrative measures, but vital tools that protect public resources, ensure their efficient use and support effective revenue collection.

“We must do things right, not just because we are required to, but because it is our duty to the people we serve. North West Provincial Executive, in accordance with Section 139 (5) of the Constitution and Section 143 of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), has resolved to intervene in Ditsobotla Local Municipality,” she said.

Mosenogi said the intervention aims to address the financial crisis and put the municipality back on a path of sustainable governance. She said the Provincial Treasury is committed to supporting Ditsobotla in this endeavour as mandated by Section 154 of the Constitution, which requires national and provincial governments to strengthen municipal capacity.

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A man sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for robbery

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

28 August 2024- A man (19) was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment by the Prieska Regional Court for robbery aggravating, of which two years were suspended for five years. On 13 October 2023, Jovelle Jadan Floors attacked an elderly woman (66) on a farm in Marydale.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said Floors assaulted the woman and fled the scene with her belongings.

“The suspect was traced and arrested the following day near Vanwyksvlei. The case docket was assigned to Detective Warrant Officer Belvian Moseki and bail was successfully opposed,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Provincial and District Management, applauded Detective Warrant Officer Belvian Moseki for his thorough investigation that secured the conviction.

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Not a single municipality in North West obtain clean audit

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By OBAKENG MAJE

28 August 2024- According to the Auditor General report for the 2022/23 financial year, not a single municipality in North West obtained a clean audit. The Auditor-General (AG) tabled the Consolidated General Report on Local Government Audit Outcomes in Parliament yesterday.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West said, although there has been some improvement in audit outcomes, the reality is that they cannot link the improved audit outcomes to improved service delivery, thus recording only an improvement in reporting and not in the delivery of services.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs in the North West, Chris Steyl said at the end of the 2022/23 financial year, municipalities in North West returned R160 million in conditional grant funding to National Treasury, intended for water infrastructure maintenance and improvements.

“Eight municipalities recorded more than R300 million in financial losses due to water leaks amounting to more than 35% of all purified piped water. It appears that the interventions by the North West Provincial Treasury are bearing fruit, with the assistance of the provincial Department of Cooperative Governance.

“However, whether these interventions are sustainable remains to be seen. We question the long-term impact of these interventions considering that North West Municipalities spent more than R214 million on consultants to compile annual financial statements for the year under review. The ANC’s cadre deployment policy has come to bite it,” said Steyl.

He further said the stand-off between municipal officials and ANC office-bearers, continues to undermine governance and service delivery, especially in the Mamusa, Tswaing, and Kagisano-Molopo Local Municipalities. Steyl added that the residents in Tswaing and Kagisano-Molopo, were held ransom these last few weeks due to the standoff between municipal officials and ANC politicians.

“North West municipalities cumulatively recorded R3,45 billion in irregular expenditure, while unauthorised expenditure topped R2,45 billion and R571 million was lost to wasteful expenditure. The collective North West bulk Eskom debt stands at more than R3,05 billion and another R2,54 billion is owed to water boards.

“The Ditsobotla Local Municipality has failed to submit its Annual Financial Statements (AFS) for the second consecutive year. The AG indicated that the Provincial Treasury is working to ensure that these financial statements are submitted by 30 August 2024,” he said.

Steyl said the DA anticipates another horror story of looting and corruption here since the municipality has completely collapsed. He said it is evident in the AG’s report that the ANC’s effort to improve local governance and quality basic service delivery is not being tackled wholeheartedly.

“Officials are still being appointed based on who they know and not what they know. Consequence management towards accountability is still not being implemented, and money that should improve service delivery is being lost to fraud, corruption, and incompetence.

“With the 2026 Local Government Elections on the horizon, time is running out for the ANC in governing local municipalities in North West. The DA local governments stand far above the poor performance of the ANC, obtaining 20 clean municipal audits and expanding quality basic service delivery to all,” said Steyl.

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Missing Horne found unharmed

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Picture: The missing Gladness Zeldred Horne reunited with her family/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

28 August 2024- The Northern Cape police said missing Gladness Zeldred Horne (25) was found by her uncle at the house of a friend in Kimberley on 23 August 2024.  The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said Horne was reunited with her family in De Aar.

“The Kimberley SAPS requested assistance in locating Horne, after she went missing. Horne is originally from De Aar, but was visiting family in Utility, Kimberley, and was last seen on 15 August 2024 at around 8pm.  

“She is apparently mentally impaired, approximately 1.6m tall, with short black hair, brown eyes and was wearing pink pajamas when she went missing,” he said.

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Kopo ya beile mo kgetsi ya polao kgatlhanong le Simon Molale e tla reediwa kwa kgotlhatshekelong ya Taung

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Setshwantsho: Molatofadiwa wa polao, Simon Molale/Facebook

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Kopo ya beile kgatlhanong le lekawana le le latofadiwang ka go tlhaba le go bolaya lekgarebe la gagwe kwa motseng wa Lokgabeng, gaufi le Taung, e tlile go reediwa kwa kgotlha-tshekelo ya Taung mo letsatsing la gompieno. Seno se tla morago ga gore kgetsi ya polao kgatlhanong le Simon Molale (22), e busetswe morago ke kgotlha-tshekelo ya Taung mo letsatsing la maabane, fa a ne a dira kopo ya beile.

Go begwa fa Medichane a bolailwe ke mokapelo wa gagwe, mme sebakwa sa tiro e, se sa itsiwe. Go ya ka mongwe o boneng ka matlho, lekawana le, lene la tlhabakaka lekgarebe le, mme one a tshaba mo lefelong la tiragalo fa a bona batho.

Fela, go begwa fa ba lelapa la gagwe ba ne ba mo tshwara le go mo isa kwa seteisheneng sa sepodisi sa Taung di ura morago ga tiragalo. 

Kgabagare, sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen are Molale one a tshwarwa le go latofadiwa ka polao ya ga Medichane.

“Ke nnete molatofadiwa mo kgetsing e ya polao o tshwerwe. Molatofadiwa one a isiwa kwa seteisheneng sa sepodisi ke ba lelapa la gagwe.

“One a na le dikgobalo, mme o ile a amogelwa kwa bookelong jwa selegae. Molatofadiwa o lebagane le kgetsi ya polao, mme thipa e e dirisitsweng go bolaya moswi ene ya fitlhelwa kwa lefelong la tiragalo.”

Kgetsi katlhanong le Molale e buseditswe morago go fitlha ka di 26 Phatwe 2024, mo a solofetsweng go dira kopo ya beile.

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Baagi ba nesetsa pula tshwetso ya go tlosiwa ga ga Tumisang Gaoraelwe maemong a gagwe jaaka majoro wa masepala wa Taung

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Setshwantsho: Majoro wa masepala o mogolwane wa Taung, Tumisang Gaoraelwe

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Baagi ba Taung ba neseditse pula go tlosiwa ga majoro wa masepala o mogolowane wa Taung, Tumisang Gaoraelwe mo maemong a gagwe. Seno se tla morago ga gore lekoko le le busang la ANC mo porofenseng ya Bokone Bophirima, le tlhalose fa le kopile Gaoraelwe go ka itokolola mo tirong.

Gaoraelwe o ile a kgadiwa thata go ya ka maitshwaro a gagwe a makgasa. Gaoraelwe o latofadiwa ka go dirisa dijanaga tsa masepala botlhatshwa morago ga go amega mo dikotsing tsa sejanaga makgetlho a le mmalwa.

Baagi ba re ga gona se Gaoraelwe a se diretseng motse wa bone wa Taung, ntle le go tlhola a iphantse ka nnotagi le go goga-goga leina la masepala mo seretseng.

Mongwe wa baagi, Xolani Ngonyana are: “Ke itumetse thata go bona ANC e tlosa majoro mo tirong ya gagwe, gonne re letile sebaka sa dingwaga di ka nna pedi gore e tseye tshwetso eo. Re lobaka re le baagi re ntsha maikutlo a rona gore Gaoraelwe a ntshiwe mo maemong a gagwe, gonne go ne go bontsha fa a sena bokgoni.

“Gaoraelwe kgale a sirelediwa ke bangwe ba baeteledipele ba ANC mo porofenseng. Fela, se se utlwisang botlhoko ke gore bone ba ne ba sa itse maikutlo a rona. Re sentse re bua se re neng re se bua mo ngwageng tse pedi tse di fetileng re re, Gaoraelwe o paletswe ke tiro ya gagwe.”

Kenaleone Mogamisi le ene o tlhalositse fa tshwetso ya go tlosa Gaoraelwe, e tshwanetse e kabo ele kgale e dirilwe. Mogamisi are go nnile le dilo di le dintsi tse kgale di diragala mo pele ga matlho a bone, mme go sa buiwe sepe.

“Re lobaka re ipotsa gore go baneng e kare monna o ene go thata gore a ka kgomiwa le go ntshiwa mo maemong a gagwe. Re bua se go ya ka botlhatshwa jo kgale re bo bona bo diragala le ka mokgwa o a ntseng a tsamaisa masepala wa Taung ka teng.

“Go dilo di le dintsi tse re utwileng gotwe di a diragala kwa masepala, jaaka go nyelela ga madi. Fela go nyelela ga madi, ke gone go nkutlwisang botlhoko, gonne Taung e letobo, ebile ga go bonagale sepe se se tla tshidisang ngwana wa Taung,” Mogamisi wa tlhalosa.

Are gona le ma gatwe a gore go nyeletse madi a kanang ka R160 million kwa masepala.

Leloko la mokgatlho wa sepolotiki la Umkhonto weSizwe, Thato Mampane are mo malobeng, go ne go tletse-tletse mo mafaratlhatlheng gore Gaoraelwe o thudile ka dijanaga tsa masepala. Mampane are gape go ile ga nna le dipego tsa gore sejanaga sa masepala sa BMW X3 sa madi a kanang ka R700 000, kgale se kgweediwa ke mosadi wa ga Gaoraelwe.

“Go begwa fa Gaoraelwe a ile a tlhalosa fa mosadi wa gagwe o na le tetla ya go kgweetsa sejanaga seo. Ntlha enngwe ke ya gore, basha bangwe ba ile ba isiwa kwa sekolo sa go nna borapharakano, fela go fitlha ga jaaka ba dutse mo gae, mme ga ba dire gonne masepala o tlhalositse fa o sena madi a lekaneng.

“Motsamaisi wa matlole wa masepala, (Chief Financial Officer), le ene o ile a itokolola mo tirong. Gona le magatwe a gore madi a kanang ka R160 million a nyeletse. Go bua nnete ga se gore ke senya Gaoraelwe, fela sa gagwe o dula fela a iphantse ka nnotagi,” Mampane wa tlhalosa.

Modulasetilo wa lekoko la Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Tebogo Babuile are: “Re amogela tshwetso e tshotsweng ke boetapele jwa ANC mo porofenseng ya rona ya Bokone Bophirima ka go gogela morago majoro. Nnete ke gore, re lobaka re ntse re bua re le balekgotlha ba EFF mo khanseleng ya Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM), re re re kgonegile ka seemo se masepala oneng o iphitlhela ole mo go sone ka ntlheng ya ga Gaoraelwe.

“O tla gopola gore mo nakong e fetileng, ke rona re neng re goa re be re goa go fitlhela re be re tshegetswa ke bangwe ba balekgotlha ba mokgatlho wa ANC gore Gaoraelwe a itokolole mo tirong, kgotsa a tlosiwe ka mokgwa wa go tlhoka tshepo mo go ene (motion of no confidence).”

Babuile are ga se Gaoraelwe a le nosi o a ntseng a tsaya karolo mo dilong tse tsotlhe tse di ntseng di diragala kwa masepala. Are Gaoraelwe kgale a dira le mmusa-kgotlha wa masepala, Grace Moipolai, gonne one a mo sireletsa mo dilong tse tsotlhe.

Kgabagare, go begwa fa Gaoraelwe a setse a kwadile lekwalo la go itokolola mo tirong, mme sebueledi sa ANC mo Bokone Bophirima, Tumelo Maruping are lekoko le tlile o thapa Gaoraelwe mo maemong a sele.

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Municipalities need to adopt best practice on implementation of projects

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa said the rapid, sustainable and inclusive economic growth is a central priority of the Government of National Unity (GNU). Ramaphosa, who delivered his address during the inaugural conference on the role of municipalities in the country’s just energy transition said, a low-carbon, climate resilient development is central to achieving this inclusive growth.

He further said this presents the country with a challenge, but also an opportunity. Ramaphosa added that electricity generated from fossil fuels accounts for most of South Africa’s carbon emissions.

“Because industry is still mainly reliant on power produced by Eskom’s coal-fired power stations, our entire economy is carbon-intensive. As the world changes, our reliance on fossil fuels to industrialise poses a significant risk.

“It poses threats to our economy, society and environment, if we do not drive the energy transition in ways that are appropriate to national and local circumstances. Many of South Africa’s main trading partners are taking measures to achieve net zero within certain timeframes,” he said.

Ramaphosa said this has implications for South African goods and products entering these markets. He said it has implications for economic competitiveness.

“Just as we continue to oppose unilateral and coercive carbon adjustment measures by developed economies, we realise the need to reduce our reliance on carbon intensive energy production. We see the need to diversify our energy sources to grow our economy. There are great prospects ahead if the country takes advantage of the global energy transition to support economic growth, development and employment creation.

“As a signatory to the Paris Agreement, South Africa is committed to contributing its fair share to the global climate change effort. We must pursue this commitment in a manner that delivers just outcomes for those affected by the energy transition. We must pursue it in a way that contributes to inclusive economic growth, energy security and employment,” said Ramaphosa.

He said they must do so at a pace, scale and cost that is consistent with the country’s social and economic development path. According to Ramaphosa, Integrated Resource Plan sets out a viable energy mix over the medium and long term to achieve their decarbonisation objectives.

“We have a successful Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme. This has attracted over R209 billion in investment and added much-needed capacity to our electricity grid.

“The regulatory changes we introduced in 2021 to increase the licensing threshold for generation projects has resulted in a pipeline of over 130 confirmed projects. This amounts to approximately 22 500 MW of capacity with an estimated investment value of R390 billion,” he said.

Ramaphosa said municipalities are central to the efforts to decarbonise the energy sector. He said municipalities own and operate approximately half of South Africa’s electricity distribution grid and facilitate universal access to electricity.

“One hundred and sixty five municipalities are electricity service providers. Through the Integrated National Electrification Programme grant, municipalities are responsible for addressing the electrification backlog.

“Municipalities therefore need to be in the driving seat when it comes to providing clean, affordable energy to communities, businesses and industry. One of the aims of this conference is to unlock the institutional arrangements required to drive the decarbonisation effort,” said Ramaphosa.

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‘Thuthuzela Care Centre in Taung is functional’

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Picture: One of the Thuthuzela Care Centre across the country/Supplied  

By OBAKENG MAJE

The North West Department of Social Development said even though the establishment of Thuthuzela Care Centres is not its competency, it funds Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) based at the Thuthuzela Care Centres. The North West Social Development spokesperson, Petrus Siko said all Thuthuzela Care Centres across the country are functional.

This is contrary to some allegations that Thuthuzela Care Centre in Taung is not operational. Siko further said Thuthuzela Care Centres are the propagator of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). He added that Thuthuzela Care Centres are one stop facilities established as part of South Africa’s anti-rape strategy, aiming to reduce secondary victimisation and to increase prosecution (conviction) rate.

“The Department of Social Development is funding NGOs based at the Thuthuzela Care Centres and they have employed Social Workers and Victim supporters, who are rendering psycho-social support services to victims, containment and victim support at court.

“There are five Thuthuzela Care Centres in the North West. There are Thuthuzela Care Centres in Taung, Mahikeng, Potchefstroom, Klerksdorp and Rustenburg. All these centres are functional. There is a Thuthuzela Care Centre in Taung and it is functional,” said Siko.

Meanwhile, the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Shamila Batohi said Thuthuzela Care Centres are a crucial part of ending GBV scourge. Bathohi said the Thuthuzela Care Centres are a one stop-facility for survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

“By providing better quality of services, we do find that there is improved reporting. In 2020/21, when we had 60 TCCs, there were just short of 30 000 cases that were reported. In 22/23, there were 36 800 cases or so and this figure represents an increase of 24.3% in a two-year period.

“In the past eight years combined, the TCCs have dealt with 266 593 matters at all of its sites. These are only reported cases and we have noted improvements in the conviction rates. Since 2010, the conviction rate has improved from 60% to the current 77.5% as at the end of December 2023,” she said.

Batohi said it’s all about the services that are being rendered that help victims to be able to go through the court processes. She said that they have also noted an increase in long term sentences that are imposed by the courts.

“For the past two years, up to December 2023, the courts imposed 337 life imprisonment sentences, 236 sentences of between 20 to 25 years and 624 sentences of 10 to 15 years imprisonment. Despite the upward progress, Batohi emphasised that the courts merely deal with crimes that have been committed and that dealing with the roots of GBV is crucial.

“When victims come into these facilities, the offences are already committed and we try to help them on their journey towards healing but it’s not going to solve the problem. That is why the importance of our councillors, community based persons, and civil society in really trying to deal with the scourge,” she said.

According to Batohi, that is why they all need to help to instil the right values, particularly in men. She said unless they actually deal with [GBV] in a holistic way, they are not going to be able to deal with the scourge.

“Notwithstanding that, we continue to try to make sure that we help the victims on their journey towards becoming survivors,” she said.

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