Durban — KwaZulu-Natal forensic social worker, Lieutenant-Colonel Nondumiso Mabaso’s quality assessments have ensured that 24 rapists have been jailed.

While observing 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children, the SAPS introduced Lieutenant-Colonel Mabaso.

Mabaso, who is based at the KZN Provincial Head Office Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, has 13 years service. She joined the organisation in 2011.

Mabaso holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work: Child Care and Protection and a Post Graduate Diploma in Forensic Investigation and also completed various internal courses.

Mabaso described her role as a forensic social worker as important in ensuring sexually abused children have voices in the courts of law.

Mabaso has dedicated her life to investigating cases of sexually abused children and compiling victim assessment reports to secure harsher sentences for sexual predators and gender-based violence (GBV) perpetrators.

As a forensic social worker and an expert witness before the courts of law, she has conducted more than 1 000 assessments on cases involving abused children, and successfully secured several convictions ranging from minimum sentences to life sentences.

She wants to make a difference in the lives of sexually abused children and ensure perpetrators pay for their crimes.

Over 11 years, Mabaso, through her careful assessment skills and investigative prowess, has secured 20 life sentences and an additional 200 years for 24 convicted sex predators and GBV perpetrators.

Reflecting on a highlight in her career, Mabaso shared that she was working on a case of a minor who was raped when she was six-years-old. The victim did not disclose the sexual incident to her parents because the perpetrator was her uncle.

When the case landed in Mabaso’s desk to assess the child, she systematically and patiently obtained the victim’s statement and compiled a competency assessment report which assisted the court in handing down an appropriate sentence.

As a result, a 50-year-old man was convicted and sentenced at Scottburgh Magistrate’s Court after finding him guilty of rape. He was sentenced to life in prison for rape last year.

Mabaso’s professional success is a testament to her commitment and determination to eradicate GBV in our society.

Mabaso inspires a clarion call to action, reminding us that justice for the victims of GBV is not solely the responsibility of law enforcement but a duty that rests with society as a whole. Communities must continue to create an environment for victims to feel empowered to speak up and for perpetrators to face justice.

“We are all responsible to eradicate any incidents of gender-based violence in our society, and also to create an environment where victims feel safe and empowered to speak up, and report perpetrators to the police.

“Parents should educate their children about safety, especially over the holiday period when children are often vulnerable to becoming victims of sexual abuse,” Mabaso said.

Observing this year’s 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children the SAPS highlighted the work of its men and women in blue who work tirelessly to put behind bars those involved in the abuse of SA’s women, children and vulnerable groups.

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