| 2024/11/28 |
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Media Statement
POLOKWANE – Detective Warrant Officer Lekgala Victoria Phala, serving in the Groblersdal Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit in Sekhukhune District, has become a striking force in the fight against gender-based violence. Her unwavering commitment to justice has led to significant convictions in some of the most harrowing cases involving vulnerable groups. A recent example of her exceptional dedication to justice is her role in securing the conviction of 58-year-old Aphane Fenkana Coccen, a child rapist who was sentenced to 125 years in custody by the Polokwane High Court on November 21, 2024. The conviction stemmed from Coccen’s attacks on four girls, aged between 12 and 18, in Dennilton in 2012. He preyed on the victims as they were returning from local farms. Thanks to Warrant Officer Phala’s diligent investigation, Coccen will spend the rest of his life behind bars. In another significant case, Warrant Officer Phala played a key role in the conviction of two Zimbabwean women, aged 26 and 28, who were sentenced to 15 years for kidnapping a two-year-old boy in Groblersdal in May 2023. The women befriended the child’s mother at a local clinic, promising to help with registering the boy’s birth certificate, but instead, they abducted him. The accused were located in Kriel SAPS in Mpumalanga province, nine months after the crime and the child was safely returned home. In addition to the kidnapping charges, the two women were sentenced to two years for violating the Immigration Act. This case concluded with the Groblersdal Regional Court’s verdict in June 2024. In just 2024 alone, Warrant Officer Phala’s tireless efforts have resulted in a total of 234 years of imprisonment for four offenders, including three life sentences. Her dedication has not only ensured that justice is served but also reassured the community that perpetrators of gender-based violence will face severe consequences. As a member of the Groblersdal FCS Unit since 2011, Warrant Officer Phala continues to stand at the forefront of the fight against abuse, bringing justice, security, and hope to the women and children she serves. Her work has made a lasting impact on the community and serves as an inspiration to both her colleagues and the public. In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe and the management of the South African Police Service (SAPS) SALUTE WARRANT OFFICER PHALA during the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign. Ends
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