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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