Parliament, Wednesday, 11 May 2022 – The Chairperson of the Multi-Party Women’s Caucus, Ms Nkhensani Bilankulu, today applauded Sergeant Auldah Tinswalo Vuyeka for her hard work that resulted in the conviction and life-sentencing of a young man for the rape of an 82-year-old woman in Limpopo. This is Sergeant Vuyeka’s fifth life conviction.
Ms Bilankulu said a case of rape was opened and assigned for further investigation to Sergeant Vuyeka of the Tzaneen Family Violence and Child Protection Unit. “It warms my heart that this female officer clearly goes the extra mile to ensure that criminals are caught and dealt with harshly in terms of the law. This is not the first victory for this officer, but the fifth. It is clear that this is one of the hardest-working woman in blue. She should be commended for her efforts to ensure a safe and secure society for our women, girl children and South Africans in general. It is further notable that the provincial commissioner in that province also happens to be a woman.”
Ms Bilankulu’s comments comes after reports that the South African Police Service in Limpopo welcomed the lifetime imprisonment handed down to the 19-year old after he was found guilty of rape. His sentencing arises from an incident on 3 August 2019 at Hlohlokwa Village, in Mokwakwaila policing area. The victim was sleeping alone in her house when he forced opened the door and raped her.
Ms Bilankulu said Sergeant Vuyeka is a living example of what is expected of all the men and women on the police force. “Horrific levels of violence and brutality towards women and children require leadership and decisive action. And parliamentarians should intensify their focus and oversight efforts to reduce and combat high levels of gender-based violence and femicide. All state departments should aggressively pursue interventions aimed at the reduction of crimes against women and children, improve access to justice and support services to victims, to ensure socio-economic independence and the improved well-being of the vulnerable. Tireless efforts must be made to restore and protect the dignity of all South Africans, particularly women and children,” said Ms Bilankulu.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE MULTI-PARTY WOMEN’S CAUCUS, MS NKHENSANI KATE BILANKULU.
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