Edited/Distributed by HURINet - The Human Rights Information Network

Bisho (ECN) - The number of violent crimes against women or children has risen dramatically since the ANC came into power in 1994, says NP Chief Whip Billy Nel.

Nel who obtained the most recent statistics from the SAPS quarterly report said the number of rapes in South Africa had increased by 23 percent in the last three years In 1994 42 429 rape cases were reported to the SAPS, while 52 160 cases were reported in 1997.

There were 105,3 rapes per 100 000 people in 1994, but by 1997 the figure was 120,6 per 100 000.

More than 1 000 more indecent assaults were reported in 1997 than in 1994.

In 1994 3 874 cases were reported, but in 1997 the figure rose to 5 053.

Nel emphasised that the SAPS only provided the figures of reported cases and said the statistics were "grossly under-reported by as much as an three percent of rapes were actually reported. "The number of concourt is devastating due to slack court procedures and an inefficient justice system."

The introduction to the "National Policy Guidelines for Victims of Sexual Offences" said less than one third of reported rape cases reached the courts.

Only 16 percent of reported rape cases resulted in convictions.

"This figure could be as low as 0,5 percent of the total rapes committed if the levels of under-reporting are as high as speculated.

"I say, bring back the death sentence, especially for violent crimes like rape and murder."

Nel also demanded that the SAPS enhance the "quality of service" provided to victims.

He said there should be additional training for SAPS members regarding victims' rights and privacy.

"Too little is being done to make court proceedings easier for victims, and court proceedings themselves are part of the trauma experienced by women and child victims."

Responding to the NP statements ANC provincial spokesman Mcebisi Bata said: "The statememts about the ANC are nonsense. The NP is beginning to electioneer."

Bata said the ANC was "unhappy" about the levels of crime against women, but emphasised that since it came to power the ANC had "strengthened" legislation to combat crimes against women and children.

"We (the ANC) have created institutions like the Gender and Human Rights Commissions and all of these institutions make it possible for crimes like this to be reported."

Bata said there was no legislation friendly to women or children "during the NP's reign" or institutions to take up their cases. The ANC acknowledged problems in the justice system, but these could be traced back to the previous government.

"The National Party must not play around with the emotions of our people, when they are the cause of all of these problems."  

 

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