A wave of rapes has recently hit Westonaria and victims have been targeted regardless of age.
Since the end of last year, the Herald has reported on five incidents of rapes in the greater Westonaria.
The trend in the area started in November last year and since the first incident, a rape has occurred each month to date. In the 2016 crime statistics, it was indicated that sexual offences had increased by 27,5 per cent.
Although at first glance all the incidents would seem to be related, the Bekkersdal Police have dispelled such connections.
The youngest of the victims was a 16-year-old girl from Simunye who was raped in the veld. The oldest was a 38-year-old woman from Bekkersdal who was raped in her own home, by a suspect who broke into the home but stole nothing. The most horrific incident involved eight men gang-raping a 34-year-old woman just two days shy of last Christmas.
The Bekkersdal Police are aware of the situation and will be visiting schools to teach learners how to report a case of rape and how to say “No”. Their first rape awareness event will take place on Friday, 24 March at Ipeleng Primary School. The theme of the event is ‘Know and Love your Body.’
They will be partnering with the Departments of Health, and Social Development as well as other key stakeholders.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (please remember to include your contact details in the email) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
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