GEORGE NEWS - In an urgent response to the ongoing epidemic of rape and sexual offences in Thembalethu, residents delivered a resolute memorandum to their newly appointed police station commander, Colonel Sipho Dyani, during a peaceful march on the morning of Tuesday 8 April.
This action was fuelled by the collective outrage of the community and was part of a broader national outcry for justice following the alleged rape of a seven-year-old girl, known as Cwecwe, in the Eastern Cape.
Faith Mdaka, who represented the community, handed over the memorandum, saying they are calling for support to tackle sexual offences and gender-based violence in the broader area, and that it's getting out of hand in Thembalethu.
Too many incidents at home
Last week, on Tuesday 1 April, residents of George and Thembalethu also participated in a peaceful protest, appealing for justice for Cwecwe and victims of rape in our own city.
The hard truth is that between 1 April 2024 and 25 March this year, at least 173 sexual offences involving children were recorded at the Thuthuzela Care Centre.
These are only the reported cases.
Not long ago, a Thembalethu resident told George Herald that "not a day goes by without a woman or child being raped [in the area]."
The reality is that most rape cases go unreported, as victims - often children - are allegedly threatened with death.
According to the police's most recent third-quarter crime statistics, a total of 225 sexual offences were reported in the Garden Route District between October and December 2024.
Of these, 149 were cases of rape. George accounted for eight.
While this number may not seem high compared with national figures, even one rape is one too many.
The arrest of over 35 000 gender-based violence suspects across the country in the last two years and 4 500 accused convicted, of which 660 have been sentenced to life in prison, shows the severity of our country's sexual crime pandemic.
Thembalethu men speak out
Sithonga Dlomo of the Garden Route Men's Sector, who organised a march in Thembalethu last week, delivered a powerful message at a community meeting.
He said men must stand united against gender-based violence, condemning perpetrators and saying stronger prosecutions, harsher penalties and unwavering protection for victims are essential. "Perpetrators must face the full force of the law - no excuses, no silence," he said.
Meanwhile, the Cwecwe rape case seems far from being solved.
At this stage, there are no witnesses or suspects, and a medical examination has found no foreign DNA on the little girl, but the police have three people of interest in their sights.
The case has now been handed over to the Head of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit for further investigation.
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Councillors Sifiso Ntoni (black shirt) and Siphelo Manxele (green shirt) with a group of kids during the meeting in Phelandaba last week.
Thembalethu residents march from Phelandaba Circle to Thembalethu Police Station. Photos: Zama Gagu
Faith Mdaka and Apostle Sithonga Dlomo hand over the memorandum to Thembalethu Police Station's commander, Colonel Sipho Dyani, at the Thembalethu SAPS.‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
