SAPS Warrant Officer Bez Bezuidenhout,53, has racked up slew of successes against rapists and perpetrators of gender based violence (GBV) and criminals during his career with the police. Photograph: SAPS
GBV LATEST: Get out alive while you still can, top cop warns
‘Get out of the relationship when there is still time’ – SAPS officer Bez Bezuidenhout who has helped jail perpetrators of GBV and killers.
SAPS Warrant Officer Bez Bezuidenhout,53, has racked up slew of successes against rapists and perpetrators of gender based violence (GBV) and criminals during his career with the police. Photograph: SAPS
SAPS Warrant Officer Bez Bezuidenhout,53, has racked up slew of successes against rapists, Gender Based Violence (GBV) perpetrators and other criminals, leading to 20 life imprisonments and a further 2000 years in jail for those he has investigated over the years.
The SAPS has acknowledged Bezuidenhout, during its 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign, for his hard work and dedication, as a detective in the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Units.
Born and bred in Bloemfontein, the father of two joined the SAPS in 1993. In 1995, he was transferred to the then Child Protection Unit as an investigating officer.
This specialised detective remains a beacon of hope for many survivors of GBV which include women, children and people of vulnerable groups.
Bezuidenhout successfully ensured that a notorious serial rapist with a strong gang affiliation, who had been terrorising his victims around Bloemfontein and surrounding areas since 2014, was sentenced to 35 years direct imprisonment. Following this conviction and sentencing in March 2021, Bezuidenhout was also able to link the same perpetrator to a cold case of murder which took place in 2013.
In 2018, Bezuidenhout joined the Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI).
To date, he has been instrumental in the handing down of at least 20 life imprisonment sentences and an additional 2000 years of which 115 years were handed down between August 2021 and October 2021 to perpetrators of GBV related crimes.
SAPS Advice for victims of GBV
With 26 years experience in solving GBV related cases, Bezuidenhout has advised survivors and those exposed to abuse to leave the relationship and seek help immediately.
“The first time you may be lucky and land in hospital but the second time can be the last time, as most cases turn fatal,” Bezuidenhout warned.
“My advice is to get out of the relationship when there is still time. The abuse will never end and he or she will never change. Abusers use a reward system, they are psychological masterminds. They abuse and reward you with promises and gifts. The beatings never end…they end when there is a tragedy,” Bezuidenhout said.
The SAPS has urged all citizens to download the #MySAPS app.
The app allows citizens to share information about GBV and other crimes more effectively by providing tip-offs anonymously through the app, find the nearest police stations and facilities, and offers quick access to all official SAPS social media platforms.
The police advised GBV survivors and people exposed to GBV related abuse to click on the vulnerability services icon on the MySAPSApp to get a better understanding of what the FCS unit offers to GBV survivors and affected parties.
