DURBAN During the month of September, detectives at the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit in KwaZulu-Natal secured 35 terms of life imprisonment as well as 621 years imprisonment against those accused of sexual-related cases.

Detectives at the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit worked tirelessly to ensure that those accused of heinous crimes are successfully prosecuted. With sexual offence cases being reported across the province, detectives were faced with cases where the accused ranged between six and sixty years old, whilst the victims ranged between seven and fifty eight years old. The highlight of their investigations was the conviction of serial rapist, Moses Mavila (27) who received 32 terms of life imprisonment for terrorising women in the Westville area.

During September, police arrested 242 persons for sexual offence cases. 23 cases were finalised with the accused being incarcerated for their dreadful deeds. The accused in these matters were convicted for crimes such as rape; sexual assault; robbery; assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and attempted rape.

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula has commended detectives for their hard work in securing these convictions. These stiff sentences sends a clear message to those that abuse women and children that we remain committed to fighting gender based crime on all fronts, he said.

Source: South African Police Service