SAPS crackdown yields results as over 224 rape suspects arrested
Scores of Gender Based Violence and Femicide suspects have been arrested nationwide, in the last eight days. This is according to the national spokesperson of the South African Police Service, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe. The rape and sexual violence statistics form a weekly update on the success of Operation Shanela nationally.
'Amongst those arrested on allegations of rape from 05 May – 11 May 2025, are a SAPS trainer and an Inkosi from KwaZulu Natal', said Mathe.
Mathe believes the chief's arrest is a reflection of SAPS's commitment to preventing and combating rape and sexual violence cases. She said even positions of prominence do not protect perpetrators from the long arm of the law.
On 12 May 2025, a 54-year-old chief from KwaBhidla, located in the south coast of KwaZulu- Natal, appeared before the Hlanganani Magistrate's Court. He stands accused of rapingan 18-year-old girl from his village.
On 5 May 2025, the teenager opened a case of rape against the chief at the local police station. The chief was accosted and taken in for questioning. He has been behind bars for the last eight days.
His arrest forms part of the 224 suspects arrested on charges of rape and sexual violence across the country in the last eight days. While the accused was allegedly sexually assaulting the teenager, police were embarking on a nationwide Operation Shanela, which resulted in the swift arrest of the chief.
'The suspect gave the young woman a lift from the eGqumeni area, only to allegedly refuse to drop her off', said police minister, Senzo Mchunu.
Mchunu said the chief drove the girl to a remote and isolated bushy area where he allegedly raped her.
The accused chief made his first court appearance on Friday, 9 May 2025. Mchunu remained adamant that the chief should be denied bail.
'This vile act allegedly committed by someone who holds a position of leadership and authority is a betrayal of the moral, ethical, and societal responsibilities bestowed upon traditional leaders. It flies in the face of the values we seek to uphold in a just, safe, and respectful society', said Mchunu.
Minister Mchunu believes the chief premeditated the rape of the girl. He said the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs continually teaches local chiefs how they should behave and about the role they play in society.
'When engaging with my counterpart in Cogta, it has been around the role that traditional leaders need to play on various social ills and around their security concerns. We have never thought that we now have to engage on their involvement in the act of rape', he said.
NPO in support of women and children's rights, LifeLine and Rape Crisis, has called for justice to be served. They condemned the actions of the chief and also called for his bail to be denied.
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