The Lusikisiki police station in the Eastern Cape leads in the number of reported rapes and sexual offences between October and December.
The station saw 104 sexual offences and 92 rapes reported during the period, up from 77 and 71 in the same period in 2020/2021.
Hot on Lusikisiki's heels is the Umlazi police station, southwest of Durban, which saw 94 sexual offences (up from 77) while rape cases soared to 85 from 77.
Umlazi police station also boasted the highest number of attempted murders, recording 97 (up from 70), and was followed by Inanda and Plessislaer stations, both in KwaZulu-Natal, which recorded 77 (up from 68) and 56 (up from 28).
On the murder front, Inanda recorded 86 (up from 66) while Umlazi was second with 81 (up from 74), followed by Delf in the Western Cape with 81 (up from 80).
Police minister Bheki Cele said dedicated desks focusing on gender-based violence (GBV) cases were now operational in 381 police stations and that the establishment of such desks in all police stations around the country would be finalised at the end of March.
He said gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) remained a priority crime for the SA Police Service (SAPS).
Cele said through 185 family violence, child protection and sexual offences (FCS) units, including nine serial electronic crime investigation units, detectives were now solely focusing their efforts and expertise on investigating crimes against women and children.
“The FCS has handed down 272 life sentences for crimes committed against women and children since April to date. Some of these sentences include the convictions of serial rapists who have been rightfully handed down heavy sentences,” Cele said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa approved amendments to the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Bill, the Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Bill and the Domestic Violence Amendment Bill last month.
The three pieces of legislation, which are commonly referred to as the GBV Bills, seek to strengthen SA’s response to gender-based violence and femicide by protecting GBV survivors and making it difficult for perpetrators to escape justice.
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