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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION NO.: 261
DATE OF QUESTION: 01 MARCH 2013
261. Mr J B Sibanyoni (ANC) to ask the Minister of Justice and
Constitutional
Development:
(1) What is the annual percentage of cases that were withdrawn by
prosecutors in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012 that related to (i) violence
against women and children and (ii) violent protest marches;
(2) how soon does he anticipate law enforcement agencies will take action
against perpetrators of crime during protest marches;
(3) (a) what percentage of cases that were withdrawn by prosecutors in (i)
2010, (ii) 2011 and (iii) 2012 related to sexual offences and (b) how soon
does he anticipate Specialised Sexual Offences Courts will be revived?
REPLY:
I wish to inform the Honourable Minister that, relating to the annual
percentage of withdrawn cases, the National Prosecuting Authority is not
in a position to give statistics in terms of percentages for specific
crimes because the information kept by the NPA (National Prosecuting
Authority) is at a summary level and not on a crime type level.
I also wish to bring under the Honourable Memberâs attention that our law
enforcement agencies deal with each individual protest march as required.
If needed, or when possible, arrests are immediately effected against
perpetrators of crime during such protest incidents. Other arrests may
follow later after further investigations or when circumstances so
permit. Â
As of 1 April 2011 to March 2012 and from April 2012 to January 2013 the
statistics are as follows:
⢠The total number of matters reported at the 52 Thuthuzela Court
Centres (TCC) sites for the 2011/12 financial year is 28 557, with a
withdrawal rate of 3%.
⢠Number of cases finalised with a verdict = 2 140, within an average
conviction rate = 60.7% Â Â
⢠Withdrawal rate = 3%, total number of matters reported since April
2012 until January 2013 at 51 sites.
⢠Number of cases finalised with a verdict = 1886, within an average
conviction rate = 60.3% Â
As indicated above it must be noted that the statistics given here are in
respect of matters reported at the Thuthuzela Court Centres (TCC) sites
only and do not include cases reported elsewhere.
I will make an announcement on the re-establishment of the Sexual
Offences Courts, shortly.