Ethiopian Spaza Shop Owner: Family Demands Justice Amid Police Delays
A 34-year-old Ethiopian spaza shop owner, accused of raping a seven-year-old girl inside his Ethiopian spaza shop, recently appeared in court.
His bail application is set for August 6. The incident has sparked outrage and intense reactions from the Diepsloot community, where the crime allegedly occurred.
The victim’s family is demanding justice. According to reports, the girl was assaulted last week in the presence of her ten-year-old sibling inside the accused’s Ethiopian spaza shop.
Initially, the family claimed they were turned away by the police when they tried to open a case. Read more about the community’s response and the delays here.
Three days later, a case was finally opened through the intervention of the Diepsloot Community Forum. Learn more about their role in the case.
Community Outrage Over Police Response
The delay in opening the case has led to significant anger among residents, who are now calling for an overhaul of their local police station.
Community members are outraged by what they perceive as negligence and a lack of responsiveness from law enforcement. The incident has intensified existing tensions, with residents demanding the closure of Ethiopian spaza shops in the area.
Explore more about the community’s demands and frustrations here.
Residents Shut Down Ethiopian Spaza Shop in Protest
In response to the incident, residents took matters into their own hands. On Wednesday, July 17, they shut down the Ethiopian spaza shop where the alleged crime occurred.
This vigilantism underscores the community’s deep frustration and anger toward Ethiopian spaza shops in the area.
“He told my son to cover his eyes while he ‘raped’ my child. How can I be okay as a father knowing such a horrible thing has happened?” the victim’s father said, expressing his anguish and outrage.
Broader Social Issues Highlighted
This case has highlighted broader issues within the community, including the relationship between residents and foreign nationals, as well as the effectiveness of the police in addressing severe crimes.
The community’s reaction reflects a broader context of social and economic challenges, including xenophobia and distrust of authorities. Read more about the broader social implications here.
Home Affairs Official Sentenced for Passport Fraud Scheme
Meanwhile, in a separate but equally troubling case, a 37-year-old Home Affairs official, Judith Salome Zuma, has been sentenced to 35 years for her role in a large-scale fraudulent passport scheme.
The Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in KwaZulu-Natal convicted Zuma of corruption, fraud, and violations of the Identification Act and the Immigration Act.
Details of the Fraudulent Scheme
Zuma was arrested on December 13, 2021, following a meticulous investigation by the Hawks Directorate, South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs.
Colonel Philani Nkwalase, spokesperson for the Hawks, stated that the investigation revealed Zuma was aiding a criminal network by fraudulently issuing passports to foreign nationals.
The investigation found that Zuma exploited vulnerable South Africans by offering them money, ranging from R300 to R500, in exchange for their fingerprints.
These fingerprints were then used to obtain illegal passports for foreign nationals. The fraudulent activities were conducted at the Durban Home Affairs office on Commercial Street, often during the night, weekends, and public holidays.
Financial Gains from Illegal Activities
It was uncovered that Zuma received R4,000 for each fake passport issued, amounting to R768,000 from 192 fraudulent passports.
Zuma pleaded guilty to 1,159 charges, including an R10,000 gratification charge aimed at influencing another Home Affairs official to drop an investigation against her.
Sentencing and Charges
For her crimes, Zuma was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for 192 counts of fraud, six years for three counts of corruption, and ten years for 192 counts of corruptly accepting gratification.
Additionally, she received five years for 385 counts of contravening the Identification Act and four years for 386 counts of contravening the Immigration Act. This results in an effective 12-year sentence to be served.
Praise for Collaborative Effort
Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, National Head of the Hawks, praised the collaborative effort of the Department of Home Affairs, the Hawks, and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in securing this conviction.
“This sentence serves as a stern warning to those who corruptly or fraudulently facilitate the influx of foreign nationals in our country,” Lebeya said. Learn more about the collaborative effort here.
Addressing Systemic Issues
These two cases highlight serious issues within South Africa, from the horrific crime in Diepsloot involving an Ethiopian spaza shop to the widespread corruption within the Home Affairs Department.
Both incidents underscore the need for more vigorous law enforcement and community trust, as well as the importance of addressing systemic issues that allow such crimes to occur.
Call for Systemic Change
The Diepsloot incident not only brings attention to the immediate need for justice for the young victim and her family but also points to more significant societal problems, including xenophobia and inadequate police response. The community’s reaction—demanding the closure of Ethiopian spaza shops and calling for police reform—reflects a deep-seated frustration with systemic failures.
Restoring Trust in Public Institutions
The case of Judith Salome Zuma similarly highlights the critical need for accountability within government institutions.
Corruption within the Home Affairs Department not only undermines the integrity of national security but also exploits vulnerable citizens for personal gain.
The harsh sentence handed down to Zuma is intended to deter similar acts and restore some measure of trust in public institutions.
Conclusion
Both incidents have highlighted the urgent need for systemic change and the reinforcement of ethical standards within community and governmental frameworks.
The demand for justice, both for the young girl in Diepsloot and in the broader context of national integrity, remains a pressing issue for South African society.
