Free State – This year, the South African Police Service (SAPS) observes the annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign by celebrating its men and women in blue.
Today, SAPS introduces readers to Sergeant Nombi Peter, a detective attached to the Mangaung Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit in the Free State.
She also forms part of Mangaung District’s serial rape task team.
Sergeant Peter’s childhood dream of becoming a police officer came true when she was enlisted in the Service 14 years ago as a student constable.
She holds a degree in Forensic Investigation (2022), and a diploma in policing (2016). Sergeant Peter also completed various internal SAPS courses. She joined Mangaung FCS in 2018.
To date, Sergeant Peter’s sterling investigations have led to five life terms and 305 years in prison for 31 rapists;
Her recent career highlight includes the sentencing of a 28-year-old convicted rapist to 20 years’ imprisonment by the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on 18 October 2023 for the rape of a 13-year-old girl.
The accused was found guilty of rape, kidnapping, and assault to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) and sentenced accordingly.
The accused attacked the victim in Phase Six informal settlement, Mangaung in March 2021.
He forcefully dragged the victim into his shack where he repeatedly raped her until he let her go the following day.
The accused threatened the victim by saying he would kill her if she disclosed the incident to anyone.
A month later the victim fell ill at school, which led to the discovery of her being pregnant following a visit to the hospital.
The victim then told her mother what had happened and the police were alerted.
The case was assigned to Peter who immediately began her investigation; the accused was arrested that same day and appeared before the court where he was granted bail.
The accused, a Lesotho national, contravened his bail conditions and failed to appear in court.
Sergeant Peter left no stone unturned and through information she obtained re-arrested the accused in Phomolong earlier this year.
The accused remained in custody until he was sentenced.
Sergeant Peter says she is compassionate with victims of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
Along with her team, Sergeant Peter conducts campaigns within the communities they serve to create awareness on topics such as domestic violence, different forms of abuse, how to apply for a protection order, and what to do when you are a victim of rape.
Sergeant Peter and her team are not only game-changers in their respective fields but they go beyond the call of duty to protect women, children, and other vulnerable persons.
Sergeant Peter said: “Being an FCS investigator is my calling… I go beyond my desk and office hours to catch rapists.
“I urge community members to report crime at their nearest police station for investigations to commence immediately.”
Sergeant Peter flies the SAPS’s flag high as she continues to put more rapists behind bars.
*(Facts compiled by: Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk)
