A 35-year-old woman from the Marikana informal settlement in Cape Town claims police refused to open a case against her boyfriend whom she said abused her.
The woman went to the Phillipi East police station after being assaulted by her boyfriend.
“I spoke to an officer. I explained that my boyfriend had beaten me and I wanted to open a case against him,” said the victim.
“The officer said they wanted to hear his side of the story before they could assist me. I was shocked because I believe they must open the cases and arrest the suspect. I find it very strange and wrong at the same time.”
The woman added that other police officers said she was just a “jealous girlfriend”.
“They ganged up on me, accusing me of being a jealous girlfriend who was using the SAPS. Then they sent me back home to bring my boyfriend to them so they could hear his side of the story. They didn’t believe what I was saying,” the victim said.
“I wasted my time because no one helped me. By staying at the station longer, I hoped they would see how serious I was that I had been beaten. I wanted the man to be arrested.”
Western Cape SAPS spokesperson Captain Frederic van Wyk said that their members are bound by a code of conduct.
Image source: Buziwe Nocuze
“We encourage the victim to complain to police management or Ipid (Independent Police Investigative Directorate) so that her allegations can be investigated. The alleged behaviour by our members will not be tolerated, and appropriate action will be taken if the allegations can be sustained,” said Van Wyk.
This incident comes days after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed an anti-gender based violence bill into law.
By staff writer
Pictured above: Philippi East police station.
