There is growing concern over the increasing number of police officers who are assaulting and murdering their partners.
On Tuesday KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC Nonhlanhla Khoza called out colleagues of the perpetrators who help cover up the crimes.
Khoza made the comments after a police officer assaulted his 29-year-old girlfriend in the Mthoko Mkhize Main Road on Sunday night.
When the woman initially tried to open a case, she was allegedly turned away from the police station.
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The 39-year-old sergeant, who is stationed at Mpumalanga Police Station, in Hammarsdale, was arrested on Tuesday morning in connection with a case of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said an investigation had been launched regarding the allegation that police refused to help the victim.
“Internal processes will be instituted and responsible officers will be subjected to appropriate departmental steps,” said.
He also made it clear that the South African Police Services (SAPS) prioritised gender-based violence cases and expected all members to not only enforce the Domestic Violence Act and but to uphold it as well.
The suspect will appear at Hammarsdale Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
Durban Metro Police officer appears in court
On Tuesday Durban Metro Police constable Sizwe Ngema (27) appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court charged with murder and theft after his girlfriend and fellow Durban Metro constable Yolanda Khuzwayo (23) was stabbed to death early on Sunday morning.
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According to preliminary police reports, the couple was drinking alcohol when Ngema allegedly stabbed Khuzwayo to death.
“It is also reported that the suspect took videos and pictures of the woman taking her last breath and sent the material to several people, including posting them on social media,” said Colonel Netshiunda.
Ngema applied for state legal aid; however, his application couldn’t be finalised until his employment details have been confirmed.
Prosecutor Calvin Govender said the state opposed bail.
The matter was adjourned to April 9 for the bail application.
Khuzwayo’s cousin, Philasande Khuzwayo, couldn’t contain herself and broke down in tears outside the court describing her cousin as the “epitome of love and peace”.
She said Khuzwayo was calm in nature, didn’t like any commotion in her life and always advocated for peace.
“She was very kind and we are still shocked to see that something as brutal as this happened to her as she was not a person who would get into fights and arguments.”
Philasande said Khuzwayo was involved in an abusive relationship and the family had urged her to seek help. I thought they had broken up, I know that Yolanda stopped talking about the abuse as she knew that I would tell her to leave.
“When I heard that she was stabbed by her boyfriend I didn’t think that it was Sizwe,” she said.
She said the couple met at the Durban Metro Police academy and started dating after three months.
KZN police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said that no one is above the law.
He said police officers should be exemplary and should “walk the talk”.
Women and children must be and feel safe around men. They must feel even safer in the presence of police officers, whether on or off duty. Police officers must champion the fight against any form of violence perpetrated against women and children.
“If police officers commit any crime, we shall arrest them and ensure that they face the wrath of the law,” said Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi.
MEC Khoza said there is an urgency to address GBV within law enforcement ranks.
“The police’s swift response in these GBV cases is commended, and it should be followed by thorough investigations to ensure perpetrators face justice without exception. We must be committed to all efforts to eradicate GBV from communities,” she said.
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Khoza has since dispatched social workers to provide crucial psychosocial support to affected families. “We are more disturbed that police officers are involved in such crimes.
Now that arrests have been made, we believe that justice will serve the victims. We want the courts to set an example with the perpetrators of these heinous crimes.
“It must be clear that no one is above the law. We stand in solidarity with all victims of GBV and affirm our commitment to working tirelessly to eradicate this scourge from our communities.”
