Tzaneen families allege police inaction in rape cases involving women with disabilities
via The Citizen3 min read
Families in Tzaneen, Limpopo, are accusing the police of failing to investigate rape cases, particularly those involving women with disabilities. Despite reports and case numbers being provided, suspects allegedly remain free without arrest. One family stated that their 23-year-old disabled sister identified her alleged rapists by name, but no investigation or arrests have been made. In another instance, a 19-year-old mentally challenged woman was allegedly kidnapped with intent to rape, but despite community intervention and a case being opened, the suspect has not been arrested. The Elizabeth Home Foundation EHF, a civil society group, has written to the Limpopo police commissioner, demanding an investigation into the police's failure to act, citing numerous unresolved rape incidents. A psychologist confirmed police reluctance to investigate such cases. Brenda Madumise-Pajibo, director of Wise4Afrika, advises complainants to report officers to station commanders or the provincial commissioner and to document all interactions. Professor Witness Maluleke, a senior criminologist, suggests reporting issues to the detective unit commander, station commander, or the Independent Police Investigative Directorate. Willem Els, a criminologist from the Institute for Security Studies, described the SA Police Service as being in disarray, noting a low detection rate of just over 12% for reported cases leading to conviction. Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba promised
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Must ReadThe Constitutional Court ruled on May 8, 2026, that Parliament acted irrationally in December 2022 by rejecting the referral of a Section 89 panel report to an impeachment committee. This decision mandates the National Assembly to establish an impeachment committee, as outlined in Rule 129I, to investigate President Cyril Ramaphosa. The inquiry will focus on three potential grounds for removal: serious violation of the constitution or law, serious misconduct, or inability to perform duties. Key aspects of the investigation will likely include the origin of $580,000 stolen from Ramaphosa's Phala Phala game farm in February 2020, which he stated was payment for buffaloes to Sudanese businessman Hazim Mustafa. Questions persist regarding the cash transaction, the non-delivery of the buffaloes, and why the money was not returned. The inquiry will also examine allegations of a cover-up, including the failure to report the burglary to the South African Police Service and the alleged involvement of Wally Rhoode, head of the Presidential Protection Service, in a cover-up and unlawful cross-border activities. The storage of the cash for 44 days without declaration to the South African Reserve Bank, violating Exchange Control Regulations, will also be scrutinized. Following the committee's report, the National Assembly will vote on removal, requiring a two-thirds majority of 267 votes. The current Government of National Unity, comprising the ANC and its partners, holds 287 seats, indic
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