South Africa's police have arrested more than 500 suspects nationwide for various sexual crimes over a recent week-long period. Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences investigators also secured significant prison sentences against convicted offenders. The arrests highlight ongoing efforts to combat gender-based violence and sexual crimes.
In a concerted push against sexual violence, the South African Police Service (SAPS) arrested 534 suspects across the country between October 13 and 19, 2025, for crimes including rape, sexual assault, and related offences. This operation underscores the SAPS's commitment to tackling gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
Police spokesperson Amanda van Wyk reported that during the same period, Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) investigators achieved notable successes in court. They secured 13 life imprisonment sentences and an additional 448 years' imprisonment for convicted sexual offenders. "These sentences were handed down in various courts following thorough investigations and meticulous case preparation by dedicated detectives," van Wyk stated. She added, "The SAPS commends all men and women in blue for their continued dedication and commitment to ensuring that perpetrators of sexual violence are brought to justice and that survivors receive the justice and dignity they deserve."
The FCS units' progress was highlighted in an official SAPS tweet, emphasizing the arrests and sentencing outcomes as major steps in the fight against GBVF. These efforts come amid broader national initiatives to protect vulnerable groups, though challenges persist in preventing such crimes. The operations involved nationwide coordination, reflecting SAPS's focus on thorough detective work to support survivors and deter offenders.