Police Senior Management has deployed members from Public Order Policing (POP) and other Specialized Units after establishing that criminal elements target certain houses in rural areas and subsequently sexually assault the victims.
According to police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli, the Bhityi area is one of the policing precincts in the OR Tambo that is receiving members from POP Unit to curb incidents of house robberies, which are mostly targeting vulnerable people in areas such as the Mqhekezweni location in Mthatha.
“The Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) that is investigating some of these sexual assault cases has since arrested a man (27) who is linked in two rape cases from the Mqhekezweni location. The first was committed in April 2023, and the other in June 2023.
“The suspect was charged, and he has since appeared in the Bhityi magistrate’s court on several occasions and is currently in custody. His case was postponed until Thursday, August 24,” said Nkohli.
He added that in other sexual offences cases, DNA was collected and sent to the forensic laboratory for analysis and possible linkages.
Nkohli said on completing the investigation process, they expect to link and arrest more suspects. However, no extortion cases were ever reported in the Bhityi Policing Precinct, where victims are said to be forced to pay certain fees for their protection.
Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene said she has deployed POPS and other specialised units to assist in Bhityi and other policing precincts in the OR Tambo District. I am confident that we are going to arrest those opportunistic criminal elements that are troubling our communities. We remain steadfast and committed to dealing with crime and criminals within the Province decisively,” said Mene.
She added that with more boots on the ground, they are determined to reduce the serious and violent crimes ploughing their societies.
Mene said with the ongoing Operation Shanela, their main focus is targeting identified crime hot-spot areas.
