WC Community Safety MEC concerned about high number of GBV cases struck off court roll

Source: EWN Traffic
Author: Ntuthuzelo Nene

CAPE TOWN - Western Cape Community Safety and Police Oversight MEC Reagen Allen said he was concerned about the high number of gender-based violence (GBV) cases struck off the roll due to police inefficiencies.

Allen said that between April and September last year, 89 GBV cases were struck off court rolls in the province.

The MEC said that 34 of the cases were struck off because case dockets were not at court.

Allen said that other cases were withdrawn because of, among others, incomplete investigations, witnesses not subpoenaed, and accused not brought to court.

He added that this was totally unacceptable.

"These grim statistics leave a bitter taste in my mouth. The continued GBV that is plaguing our society must come to an immediate end. The way SAPS, and by extension the entire criminal justice system, is failing these individuals, often amongst the most vulnerable in our communities, will never be acceptable."

Allen said that it was concerning that these were just the cases they'd monitored and might not paint a full picture of the reality.

"Many SAPS officers have excessive workloads, having more than 200 dockets to investigate, which does not help them as investigators, nor the persons who have been violated. This failure does, however, not justify their inability to comply with their oath and fulfill their constitutional mandate."