Keitumetse Maluleka left social media in utter shock when she posted a video on Facebook, telling all about how her alleged abuser was handled with kid gloves by South African police.
Keitumetse Maluleka: SA police forced into taking action against alleged abuser
In the video clip that has since gone viral, a battered Maluleka told the story about how she was allegedly abused by her partner, who, until Sunday 12 December 2021, had gotten away with the crime.
In fact, according to Maluleka, her partner had been getting away scot-free with bashing her since 2016. The gender-based violence (GBV) claimed she opened an assault case against the 46-year-old suspect back then at the Pretoria West precinct and, for unknown reasons, it never materialised.
The latest incident was the last straw for Maluleka who, after a night of horror on Saturday 11 December 2021, finally laid charges against her alleged abuser at Silverton police station. From what we understand, the case docket was transferred to Mamelodi police and an arrest was effected on the suspect in the wee hours of Sunday 12 December 2021.
Interestingly, however, the alleged abuser was released on a warning and instructed to show up in court on Thursday 30 December 2021.
Shortly after the video went viral, Gauteng police released a statement noting, with concern, the manner in which the victim was treated.
When Maluleka drove to the Mamelodi precinct on that Saturday evening, after being pummelled in the face, the police station was closed, with no signage indicating why this was the case.
Turns out, at that time, the station was closed for decontamination after a member tested positive for COVID-19. However, a make-shift centre was open at the back of the station but, of course, this was not communicated and thus, Maluleka, was forced to report the case elsewhere.
“The Station Commander Brigadier Matji, has apologised for any inconvenience caused with regards to the closing of the police station and he has committed to ensuring that the next time the station has to be decontaminated, there will be clear and visible signage to direct clients to the place where the Community Service Centre will be operating,” police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili wrote.
The detective whom the case docket was handed to will also face an internal disciplinary process for releasing the alleged abuser on a warning when the alleged assault took place within the period of 16 Days of Activism Against the Abuse of Women and Children.
“The Station Commander has also instituted an internal disciplinary investigation into the detective member that released the suspect on warning and failed to liaise with the complainant,” the statement concluded.
Maluleka’s most recent post on the matter revealed that after her cry for help went viral, both ministers, Bheki Cele and Ronald Lamola, got in touch with her and the matter, we believe, has been expedited.