14 Aug 2020

 Commissioner of Police, Mr Keabetswe Makgophe, has expressed concern about gender based violence (GBV) victims who withdraw cases.

He told a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting recently that withdrawal of cases crippled efforts to fight GBV.

“People come to report different cases of GBV and to our disappointment, they later on come and ask for the cases to be withdrawn, not even considering the resources used upon follow ups and  investigations of such cases,” he said.

Mr Makgophe said this left perpetrators free and likely to repeat the offence, adding that some of the victims ended up being up murdered.

He further noted that they were trying to make all police stations accommodative of GBV victims and prioritise them over other cases.He said all police stations should offer the same services, in relation to GBV cases.

It should not only be about recording statements, but rather administer counselling and other special assistance.

He further said they also came up with a toll free number to speed up their response on GBV cases.

Meanwhile, Mr Makgophe said cyber-crime offences were escalating, adding that one of the disturbing issues were those of e-wallet scam and cyber extortion, among others.

He said they recorded a reduction of 4.4 per cent on violent and intrusive crime, while they recorded a reduction of 4.7 per cent on serious crime such as threat to kill, murder, rape, among others.

He further said they failed to meet their set target of five per cent reduction on road traffic accidents, but rather recorded a one per cent reduction. ends