Over 600 children were raped in two years by previously convicted rapists, the Democratic Alliance said on Tuesday.
”In 2002, 277 children were raped by persons previously convicted of rape, while in 2003 this figure has increased by 15% to 320.
”And in the first three months of this year 72 previously convicted rapists were once again found guilty,” said DA member of Parliament Mike Waters.
If the total number of convictions for child rape was compared from April 1, 2003 to March 31, 2004 — ”where a dismal conviction rate of 721 out of 15 857 reported child rapes was obtained” — it showed that 313 or (43,41%) of these were repeat rapists.
”In other words, nearly half the convictions came from repeat offenders,” Waters said.
Apart from over 15 000 rapists getting away with rape in 2003 and 2004, hardly any first time rapists were convicted, he said.
”This sends out a strong and clear message that the perpetrators can and will in all probability get away with it.”
He said it was also ”obvious” that rehabilitation in South African prisons was not working and that this needed to be looked at urgently and seriously.
Waters said conviction rates had been dropping with regard to rape.
”In the 2002/2003 year 15 144 rapes were reported, 11 698 (77,25%) went to court, and 1 237 (8,17%) ended in a successful conviction.
However, the situation had worsened for the 2003/2004 year, with 15 857 rapes being reported, 9 189 (57,95%) going to court, and only 721 (4,55%) ending in a successful conviction.
”This is a sharp decline year-on-year, and a cause for grave concern,” Waters said. – Sapa