ALI MPHAKI
YOUNG girls who live in Moroka, Dobsonville and Meadowlands are more likely to be raped than those who live in other suburbs of Soweto.
The latest police crime statistics show that more rape cases were reported at police stations in the three suburbs than in any other stations in Soweto.
Moroka police were kept busy with a total of 295 rape cases reported between April 2010 and March 2011. In the preceding period (April 2009 to March 2010), there were 304 such cases reported.
In total, close to 2 000 rape cases were reported at various police stations in Soweto during April 2010 to March 2011. Dobsonville had 274 reports and Meadowlands 169.
Nationally, rape increased from 55 097 cases to 56 272 cases. Whereas there was a general decrease in the number of sexual crimes reported in Soweto, Kliptown experienced an upswing, with 150 cases reported, up from 129.
Of concern to the police and communities is the growing trend of most of the sexual offences being committed against girls aged 15 to 17.
Police spokesman Kay Makhubela said that despite the worrying trend, what was encouraging is that people were coming forward to report the cases to the police.
“We know there could be a number of rape cases which go unreported, but we will urge those affected to report the cases to the police,” said Makhubela.
He mentioned that police have seen an upsurge of rape in the age group 11 to 14. Last week, a 67-year-old man was arrested for raping an 11-year-old girl. Another case involved a 39-year-old man who raped a 14-year-old girl.
“There could be various reasons why rapists target young girls, but one thing for sure is that once the matter is reported, the police will arrest the culprits,” added Makhubela.
Also encouraging for Makhubela is the fact that more than 90 percent of the rape cases that went to court in Soweto had guilty verdicts.
There are varying statistics when it comes to the number of rape cases reported nationally.
People Opposed to Women Abuse, for instance, estimate that only one in nine women who are raped in South Africa report it. Other organisations like the National Institute of Crime Rehabilitation say that only one in 20 rapes are reported.
This means that on average about 1 300 women could be expected to be raped a day in South Africa.
More shocking are estimates that one in every four South African females, of all races and ages, even the smallest babies, would experience rape at least once.