South African police apologize to public for leaking rape victims’ personal information

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) – The South African Police Service (SAPS) has issued a public apology after it released personal information of eight women who were raped last July in Krugersdorp, west of Johannesburg.

The young women were raped by a gang of men while they were shooting a music video at an abandoned mine in Krugersdorp, sparking nationwide condemnation.

A police investigation ordered by National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola found that the personal information of the rape victims was released inappropriately though no ill-intent was uncovered. The report however said this still does not justify the sharing of such information.

“On behalf of the SAPS, I apologize 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,’’ Masemola said in a statement late Wednesday.

Over a dozen people were arrested in connection with the rape incident, but charges were dropped due to a lack of evidence.

Masemola said last year that 17,481 suspects were arrested for gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) related crimes.

He said the police management continues to issue directives and drive internal awareness campaigns within the police service in an endeavor to avoid a repeat of such an information breach.

“The management of the SAPS assures all people in South Africa of its commitment to comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013,” he said.