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Police Minister Condemns Alleged Assault of GBV Victim by Officers in Heidedal

NEWS
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Two Hiededal Police Officers were caught on camera assaulting a woman who had reportedly come to the station to report an assault by her abusive partner. (Photo credit: News24 web)

South Africa’s Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, has condemned the alleged assault of a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) victim by two police officers at the Heidedal Police Station in the Free State. The incident, captured in a video circulating on social media, shows the two female officers assaulting a woman who had reportedly come to the station to report an assault by her abusive partner.

The video has drawn sharp criticism from the public and prompted an immediate response from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), which has already made significant progress in its investigation. Internal processes within the South African Police Service (SAPS) are also underway to verify the allegations and ensure that appropriate disciplinary action is taken against those involved.

In a media statement issued by the Ministry of Police on Wednesday, 5 February 2025, Mchunu expressed great concern regarding the incident, describing it as “highly unacceptable and completely contrary to the core values of law enforcement “.

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Media statement released by the Ministry of Police regarding the assault incident in Heidedal Police Station. (Photo credit: NewsLiveSA and VM Radio)

He strongly denounced the shameful behaviour of the police officers shown in the video.

The behaviour displayed by members of the SAPS in that video is highly unacceptable and completely contrary to the core values of the SAPS, which exists to serve and protect all citizens, as mandated by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.


With Gender-Based Violence (GBV) being one of the biggest issues in South Africa, Mchunu emphasised that the South African Police Services (SAPS) does not tolerate any mistreatment of the public, particularly victims of crime seeking protection and justice. Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is a grave criminal offense , and all victims must be treated with the highest level of sensitivity, care, and professionalism.

As termed by president Cyril , GBV is South Africa’s ‘second pandemic.’ Approximately 33.1% of women aged 18 years and older have experienced GBV.


Minister of Police urged the IPID to prioritise the investigation to assure the public of full accountability and due punishment to those responsible.

We call upon IPID to prioritise this investigation and I want to reassure the public that there will be full accountability, and any officer found to have acted outside the law will face the consequences.

The Minister assured the public that the SAPS remain committed to ensuring that victims of GBV receive the support and protection they deserve.

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