DA requests IPID investigation into police's failure to arrest known rapist

04 November 2014

The DA will write to the Executive Director of the Independent Police Investigative directorate (IPID), Mr Robert McBride, to urge him to investigate why the police failed repeatedly to arrest Makethe Abraham Nkwanyane after they had been given the required information for his arrest by the women who survived his brutal attack and rape.

It was reported in a number of newspapers this morning that a woman who, even after tracking down her rapist for the police and facing him, could not get the police to arrest him (see report in The Mercury).

The 40 year old teacher gave the police the information they needed to arrest her rapist in the form of directions to his house and his address. The victim even arranged for a meeting with the police and her attacker, at which point she was subjected to yet another assault because the police did not show up. 

Under no circumstances should a victim of crime ever have to track down the perpetrator. 

Not only did the police fail to protect her from the second assault but they also failed to serve her by arresting her attacker when she had given them the required information to do so. 

It is a well-known fact that the incidence of sexual crimes in South Africa is extremely high. In 2013/14 almost 63 000 sexual offences were committed. Although this represents a decrease of 5.6% from the previous year, there were 171 sexual offences committed every day of the 2013/14 year. 

It is imperative that this matter be investigated. IPID must identify the police officers responsible, and they must be brought to book. People who have no interest in protecting the vulnerable should not be allowed to continue on as police officers. 

Statement issued by Denise Robinson MP, DA Shadow Minister of Women in the Presidency, November 4 2014

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