Experts say 27 alleged Gauteng police rape cases are not a true reflection of the situation
via The Citizen3 min read
Experts indicate that the 27 alleged rape cases involving Gauteng police, as revealed in the 2024-25 annual report from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate Ipid, do not accurately represent the full extent of the problem. These figures include members of the South African Police Service Saps, municipal police departments, and traffic officials. The report noted 928 overall crime cases involving law enforcement officers for the period. Sihle Sibisi, a gender-based violence activist from Kwanele Foundation, stated that police have failed women and that the recorded figures are not a true reflection because officers can make dockets disappear. She added that the statistics suggest women should not trust the police and called for the naming and shaming of officers involved. Professor Witness Maluleke, a senior criminologist at the University of Limpopo, described it as shocking that those entrusted with public protection are agents of criminality, viewing women as soft targets. He emphasized that the reported cases are merely the tip of the iceberg, as many rape cases go unreported, and the criminal justice system is not effectively combating this issue. Maluleke urged the public to be vigilant and called for police management to address the problem, suggesting dismissals, suspensions, and legal action against officers on the wrong side of the law. Michael Sun, a DA member of the Gauteng legislature, called for urgent accountability to address this crisis, restore tr
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South Africa is experiencing a cold winter with strong cold fronts expected to persist into August, according to SA Weather Service forecaster Lehlohonolo Thobela. While temperatures in central and eastern parts of the country are anticipated to normalize for winter, Vox Weather meteorologist Annette Botha noted that historically, significant cold fronts often occur in late June, July, and August. Looking ahead, there is increasing discussion about the possibility of the current El Nino strengthening into a strong or even super El Nino later in 2026 and into 2027. Botha clarified that an El Nino does not automatically guarantee drought for South Africa, as its impacts depend on its strength, timing, and interaction with other climate drivers, primarily affecting the summer rain region. The current winter forecast remains largely unchanged by El Nino, as its influence is typically greater during spring and summer. Agricultural Business Chamber of SA chief economist Wandile Sihlobo mentioned warnings of a potential drought in the summer of 2026-27 due to a stronger El Nino, which could pose challenges for farmers, despite the excellent output of the 2025-26 production season.
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