By: Natasha Archary

National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola has issued a public apology to the Krugersdorp rape victims for leaking their personal information to the public.
Masemola’s apology comes after an internal department investigation into the matter was conducted, which found that the victims’ personal information, was released inappropriately but no ill-intent was uncovered.
This however does not justify the sharing of such information.
Eight rape victims had their personal information, which included their names and surnames, age, and physical addresses released without their knowledge on various WhatsApp platforms.
According to Masemola, the information was shared on SAPS’ internal WhatsApp groups to mobilise all the necessary role players and resources in a bid to apprehend those responsible for the heinous crime.
In July 2022, police arrested 67 men for the gang rape of 8 women in Krugersdorp.
The women between the ages of 19 and 37-years old, were raped by multiple men, whilst filming the video near a mine dump in the area.
Unfortunately, the personal information of the above-mentioned victims, found its way onto social media. SAPS regrets the disclosure of such personal information and apologises to the victims of the dreadful crimes for the information breach and hardship caused as a result.
“On behalf of the South African Police Service (SAPS), I apologise unreservedly to the victims in particular and their families. Crimes against women and children remain a priority for members of the SAPS and in the past financial year, 386 life sentences were handed down to perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) related crimes and during the same period, 17 481 suspects were arrested for such crimes.”
General Fannie Masemola
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