A 49-year-old Orange Farm woman says she has lost faith in the justice system after months of waiting for answers in a rape and assault case reported at Orange Farms SAPS.
The woman, whose identity is being withheld to protect her safety and privacy, told Orange Farm News that she had previously opened a rape case which she says was never properly resolved. She later reported a second incident after she was allegedly raped and assaulted in Ext 6a on 7 February 2026.
More than six months later, she says she has received no meaningful feedback on the investigation.
“I have lost hope. This is the second incident where I have opened a case. Even with the first one, I didn’t get assistance and the case just disappeared,” she said.
Her experience comes amid concerning rape statistics at Orange Farms SAPS. The station recorded 152 rape cases during the 2024/25 financial year, up from 130 the previous year — an increase of 16.9%. This placed the station sixth in Gauteng and 22nd nationally.
Orange Farm News contacted Orange Farm SAPS Corporate Communication Officer Sgt Shaan Motsapi on August 24 to establish the status of the woman’s case, whether an investigating officer had been assigned and what progress had been made.
Motsapi said SAPS would trace the case registration and establish which investigating officer from the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit was handling the matter.
Boitumelo Pinkoane, a Lawyers Against Abuse representative, said survivors have a right to receive updates from the investigating officer assigned to their case.
She said that where a survivor has repeatedly approached an investigating officer without receiving assistance, they may escalate the matter to the detective commander or station commander.
Organisations such as Lawyers Against Abuse can also assist survivors experiencing difficulties with the handling of gender-based violence cases, she added.
The latest SAPS figures show that Orange Farm recorded 25 rapes between January and March 2026, while 1,840 rapes were reported across Gauteng during the same three-month period.
Behind those figures are survivors whose experiences cannot be reduced to statistics. For this woman, two reported incidents have left her searching for answers and questioning whether justice will come.
Orange Farm News is awaiting further feedback from SAPS and will continue following the case.
Need help?
Gender-Based Violence Command Centre: 0800 428 428 (24/7)
Please Call Me: *120*7867#
SAPS Crime Stop: 08600 10111
People Opposed to Abuse: 011 642 4345
Thuthuzela Care Centres: Visit the National Prosecuting Authority website for centre locations and support information.
