The South African Police Service (SAPS) continues to implement its nationwide operations to prevent and combat gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), yielding significant results. In a concerted effort to ensure public safety and security, operations carried out from 01 to 07 September 2025 led to the arrest of 196 rape suspects across the country. According to SAPS National Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Vincent Mukhathi, in addition to these arrests, police apprehended 96 wanted suspects for rape and 13 suspects for sexual offences were tracked down across multiple provinces.
Lieutenant Colonel Vincent Mukhathi added that the SAPS prioritises the fight against GBVF through various initiatives, including a 90-day blitz to accelerate efforts focusing on GBVF and sexual offences committed against vulnerable groups, especially women, children and people with disabilities. Furthermore, the specialised Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) investigators continue to focus on ensuring sexual predators are brought to justice and secured lengthy convictions for perpetrators of GBVF.
On 11 September 2025, the Gauteng Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences members arrested a 41-year-old serial rapist in connection with a series of serious crimes, including rape, kidnapping, robbery and assault. The suspect is linked to 45 cases reported at Diepkloof police station and Orlando police station, while two cases were reported in the North West Province between 2008 and 2025. He targeted female victims between the ages of 14 and 55 years and threatened them with a firearm and knife while wearing a balaclava and a mask to conceal his identity.
Notable convictions highlight the SAPS's commitment to justice. In Limpopo, a 24-year-old accused, Kabelo Rodger Sebetha, was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment for the rape of a 21-year-old woman at Ga-Maponto in January 2022. In the Free State, a 34-year-old Mothae Augastina Rahlao was sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a 15-year-old minor on 24 November 2022 in Meloding. Still in the Free State, a 51-year-old accused, Tsotang Francis Dineka, was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment for the rape of a 21-year-old woman and contravention of a protection order. In the Northern Cape, a 19-year-old accused, Alex Thato Tshipagaebonwe was sentenced to life term imprisonment for raping a 6-year-old girl in Batlharos near Kuruman in September 2021. In Gauteng, a serial rapist Musa Maicana (27) who was linked to several cases of rape in and around Tembisa was sentenced to three life terms imprisonment and an additional 300 years for 43 counts, ranging from rape, armed robbery, pointing of firearm and possession of dangerous weapons.
The SAPS calls on citizens to join the fight against GBVF by reporting perpetrators and standing against abuse. The fight against GBVF requires collective action from communities, civil society, and all stakeholders to create a safer environment for the victims.
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