Umbumbulu woman lives in fear after rape
The accused has been seen freely walking in the area.
AN Umbumbulu woman is living in fear after a man she has accused of raping her was released on bail after appearing at the Nsimbini Magistrate’s Court recently.
The 25-year-old woman, who cannot be named to protect her identity, said she stays in the same area as the alleged perpetrator. The alleged rape happened at the accused’s homestead on January 1.
“I’m friends with his sisters and had visited them on New Year’s Eve. He had previously told me he likes me and wanted us to be in a romantic relationship, but had turned his request down,” said the complainant. She said during the early hours of the new year, the alleged perpetrator asked her for some advice regarding some issue he was through and asked her to go with him to his room. When we got inside he locked the door and told me he loves me. After telling him that I wasn’t interested in being in a relationship with him, his whole demeanor changed. He said he will show me how much he feels about me. I screamed for help, but the music in the room was too loud. He produced a gun and told me to undress and fearing for my life I did as he said.”
After raping her, she said he unlocked the door and let her out, but she was still too traumatised to tell anyone what had just happened, and went home.
At home, she told her brother and father about the incident and her father went to the suspect’s home to confront him, but he denied it.
“My father suggested I open a case of rape and I went to the police station where I was referred to the Thuthuzela Care Centre.”
Samples of evidence were taken and the suspect was arrested a few days later. She said what makes her feel unsafe is that he has been seen in the community and does not feel safe.
Provincial SAPS spokesperson, Colonel Thembeka Mbele, confirmed that a case of rape was opened and the docket was transferred to the Umlazi Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit for investigation.
“Once the docket has been received from the court, the victim will be updated with the status and progress of the case,” said Mbele.
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