SAPS reveals 974 rape and sexual assault cases closed every month without resolution
11 August 2024
In May 2024, the former Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, revealed in an explosive parliamentary reply to a question posed by the Democratic Alliance that over 5,4 million case dockets were closed, without result, due to insufficient evidence or leads since the 2018/2019 financial year.
Following these revelations, the Democratic Alliance immediately submitted a request for information under the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 to obtain further details on these dockets. On 7 August 2024, the current Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, furnished the Democratic Alliance with a detailed breakdown of these dockets.
The information furnished to the DA by the Minister paints a disturbing picture, particularly in light of our country’s Women’s Month celebrations, and highlights key areas of concern in both docket management and the capacity and staffing shortages in the SAPS’ detective services.