Violent and sexual crimes require a great deal of investigation and evidence before the courts can decide on a verdict. A good investigation team can mean the difference between a guilty verdict or a violent criminal walking away scot-free.
Action Society sees the direct results of inexperienced, overworked, and unmotivated police officers daily. The concerning decrease in the Detective Service Division from 26 000 in 2016/17 to 17 000 in October 2023 is a major red flag and the primary reason for the delay of justice that victims of crime face. A recent report from the Auditor-General showed that detectives who are still operating are not meeting their targets, especially when it comes to contact crimes and crimes against children. The report revealed that the detective branch only solved 45,89% of cases brought to them. This trend continues with crimes against children under 18 years, with only 63,07% of these being solved, a total of 38 998 cases out of 61 828.
Even when an investigation goes well, the ever-increasing forensic and DNA backlog presents another major hurdle for justice, which is, in our view, a violation of fundamental human rights. In the many cases in which Action Society has been involved, victims have to wait months, if not years, for their court cases to even begin due to outstanding DNA results.
Action Society’s committed investigation team brings with them a wealth of experience, dedication, and passion for justice that are rare to find. The men and women making up this incredible team have proven on numerous occasions that they are not intimidated by challenging cases.
Since the inception of Action Society in 2019, this team has acted as a formidable force, ready to take on cases in far-flung (and often dangerous) corners of the country. Over the years, we have brought justice to many victims of gender-based violence, including high-profile cases such as Siphokazi Booi, Carmen Gouws, Lihle Zenzile, and Jamie-Lee Julius.
Even though the aforementioned ever-growing backlog of forensic evidence causes many delays in our cases, our team refuses to give up. They continue to pressure the courts to provide them with what they need to see the case through to its conclusion and ensure that justice is served.
