“The rape reported in this area is indeed tragic and alarming, but it must be noted that this area has never been regarded as safe.”
This is a statement from the ward 18 councillor, Clr Heather Hart, in response to a sign stating the area near the intersection of Aitken and Palliser roads is a rape hotspot.
In addition, the signboard is going to be removed.
I think it is important to note a few things about this situation. A community-minded individual placed the sign there after a woman was raped in the open field while jogging.
I am sorry people, but stating “it must be noted that this area has never been regarded as safe” as a reason for pulling down the signboard is simply unacceptable.
It also smacks of blaming the victim for the attack.
The young woman in question was out jogging, in a bid to keep fit.
While I am sure (I hope) that this is not the intended message of the ward councillor, one cannot deny the shocking message portrayed by such a statement.
On the one hand, a board was placed illegally. But in the same breath, the councillor is admitting that the area is a known danger-zone! Is this not all the more reason for the bloody sign to be there in the first place?!
I am horrified by this reaction from the councillor. You know the area is unsafe, yet what action has been taken to rectify the situation? You freely admit the area has never been regarded as safe. This is an indictment upon you, Clr Hart.
As far as I can see, this sign is harming no-one; it is not promoting (dubious) sexual remedies or abortion. It is not promoting false promises from political parties. This sign is actually doing something useful – telling people what happens in this area.
I would say place more of these signs around town. If Ekurhuleni, and other municipalities, can place signs warning of hijack hotspots, why not signs warning of rape hotspots? Or is this more to do with the public starting to say, “Enough is enough”?
It is a sorry day indeed when a woman is raped and a statement is issued stating that while the incident is tragic, the area is known to be dangerous. What on Earth is being communicated here? How must the victim and her mother feel?
I don’t know about the rest of the South Africa population, but I refuse to live behind seven-foot concrete walls, blissfully unaware, or unconcerned with, what is happening in the area around me.
Two rapes have occurred in the same area. I do not blame the police, as they cannot be everywhere at once. I also do not hold Clr Hart responsible for the crime rate, and she is not in charge of the police or any law enforcement agency.
But, for goodness sake, this sign could have prevented a terrible tragedy if it were placed earlier. Likewise, it could also prevent such tragedies in the future. But no, let us remove it.
To a small degree, I understand that we cannot simply have residents placing signboards in any old place. We may end up with some rather weird signboards.
But we all have the gift to consider a situation on its merits. And in this case, I think the sign should remain.
A life has been torn apart. And yet the focus is on a bloody signboard?!
I am so angry I will repeat this. A woman has been raped and here we are, arguing about the legitimacy of a BLOODY SIGNBOARD!
What is the matter with us?
To the person who placed the sign there – I hope you know the positive impact you had on the community, even if only for a few days.
It’s just such a pity that the authorities seem more concerned about the appearance of Edenvale, as opposed to getting to the nitty-gritty and removing criminals from society.
Placing the sign was a form of civil disobedience, yes. But so was the rape.
Which should be receiving the greater focus, do you think?
