| 2024/12/01 |
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Media Statement PRETORIA – The SAPS is observing this year’s 16 Days of activism of no violence against women and children by highlighting the work of its men and women in blue who work tirelessly to put behind bars those involved in the abuse of our country’s women, children and vulnerable groups. Today, we introduce the nation to Detective Sergeant Palesa Tsoaelo who is attached to the Secunda Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offence Investigations (FCS) unit, in Mpumalanga. As a rape and sexual abuse survivor herself, Sergeant Tsoaelo joined the unit in 2015 and has found her calling and purpose in life, and that is to ensure justice for victims of GBVF- related crime. To date, Sergeant Tsoaelo has secured 19 life term sentences and an additional 1138 years in prison for 23 sexual predators over a nine year period. Tsoaelo believes that these life term sentences will serve as a deterrent to potential perpetrators of gender based violence in our society. She explains what drives her, as a seasoned detective and that is to use her skills, experience and tireless efforts in ensuring that sexual predators are behind bars for the rest of their lives, and to be a defender and a beacon of hope for vulnerable groups such as women, children and elderly people. “I made it clear that I would use my detective skills to be a defender of justice for many survivors of GBV who include women, children and vulnerable groups. This work is very close to my heart and that’s because myself I am a survivor of rape and sexual abuse at a tender age.” she said Her recent career highlights include securing conviction of four notorious gangsters to 7 life terms plus additional 87 years in prison. On 04 September 2024, the Bethal Regional Court sentenced gangsters to 7 life terms and an additional 87 years in prison for multiple counts of rape, murder, robbery with aggravating, and assault to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH). The accused stabbed to death a Nigerian man, raped three sex workers, robbed them off their belongings before they fled the scene. Through her dedication and hard work, Tsoaelo was able to finalise investigations within a week and presented a water-tight case against the accused in court, ultimately securing their convictions. Seageant Tsoaelo joined the organisation in 2007 as a constable and always wanted to serve her country as a police officer. She firstly served at the Community Service Centre (CSC) before joining the FCS unit in 2015. In recognition of her exceptional work, Tsoaelo was named the FCS investigator of the year in the Gert Sibande District at the Excellence Awards ceremony this year. Sergeant Tsoaelo urges victims of gender based violence not to withdraw cases because of undue influence or in exchange for bribes.
“I am pleading with victims of gender based violence not to withdraw cases because of undue pressure or in exchange of bribes from the family members or community members to protect the offenders of these heinous crimes. Let us take swift actions in the fight against any form of violence and sexual crimes committed against women, children and vulnerable groups within our society. Speaking out is essential in order to challenge societal attitudes and myths that allow gender-based violence to persist”, said Tsoaelo.
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