Gauteng rapists get 1 047 years

14 February 2013 - 17:07 By Sapa
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Gauteng rapists were sentenced to a combined 1 047 years in the last three months, police in the province said on Thursday.

Gauteng rapists were sentenced to a combined 1 047 years in the last three months, police in the province said on Thursday.

In addition, 48 life sentences were also handed down to those convicted of rape in the province, Lt-Col Lungelo Dlamini said.

These sentences were the product of 180 rape cases reported between 2003 and 2012.

"These successes may be attributed to a much improved co-operation between the members of the community, victims, prosecuting authorities and the police," Dlamini said.

The re-establishment of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit as part of efforts to combat crimes against women and children had contributed to the successful prosecutions.

Of the 1 047 years of jail time, rapists convicted of crimes against children 17-years-old or younger were sentenced to 353 years.

The remaining 694 years were for the rapes of women older than 18.

"Police are urging parents to play a bigger role in protecting children against the perpetrators, as most victims are in a greater danger within their families, the place where they should be safest," Dlamini said.

Gauteng provincial commissioner Lt-Gen Mzwandile Petros had implemented systems to improve the detection of crimes and docket-monitoring.

Dlamini urged Gauteng residents to report all forms of abuse to help curb violence against women and children.

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