Chair, the African National Congress commends the commitment by law enforcement officers in Durban, where nine life sentences have been handed down to those who committed violent crimes against women and children in the month of August 2019. Other persons were imprisoned to a total of 367 years for similar crimes.
The Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units in KwaZulu- Natal have done a splendid job in ensuring that perpetrators face the law and receive deserving sentences for their lawlessness.
We call on all the provinces and their police units to intensify their investigations in crimes against women and children. A total of 327 suspects were arrested for sexual-related cases and 42 convictions were secured last month. Other cases remain under investigation and some are still pending at various courts. One of the accused was sentenced to a total of three terms of life imprisonment for rape and other charges including murder, kidnapping and assault. The ANC- led government will intensify its commitment to fighting violence and crime in our country. I thank you.