Witbank police are concerned about the number of rape cases opened last week. Every week, rape cases opened are not less than four. Last week five rape cases were reported.
The latest is of a man that was arrested and charged with rape. On Friday, December 1 at 15:00 a woman was going to the Central Business District when she got a lift from an unknown man.
While in the car they exchanged phone numbers. In the evening on the same day the man called the woman to accompany him to a friend’s place at Old Coronation.
The woman was picked up from her home and they drove together to Old Coronation to collect his friend. The three travelled together to a tavern and started drinking. As it was getting late the woman asked the man to take her home. On the way the woman slept in the car, she alleged that she was woken up by the man with a slap. He told her to undress herself and she refused. The man went to the boot of the car and came back with a screwdriver and threatened to stab her.
Fearing for her life, she cooperated with whatever the man said and she was raped. In addition, the man threatened to stab the woman with an empty beer bottle. The woman pleaded with the man not to stab her and promised to call the man again. She was dropped off at her home. The woman did not know the name of the man but knew where he stayed which led to his arrest.
Witbank Police spokesperson, Sgt David Ratau said when women visit taverns or entertainment places they must have their own money and not depend on men to buy them drinks.
Another rape incident is of a child who told her mother when she was bathing her that her private part was painful. This comes after two boys from school forced a stick inside her private part.
The parent went with her daughter and told the principal what happened. It is alleged that the principal denied it and furthermore told the mother that the parents of the ‘suspects’ are on holiday.
“To teachers that know of such criminal activities happening in their schools but hide the information will have to face the dire consequences of the law. Such people must report it as their statement is crucial because they probably heard the news first,” said Sgt Ratau.
Two more rapes took place at Old Coronation on Friday, December 1 and Wednesday, November 29.
With regards to Friday’s incident, a seven year old girl was raped by her step-father. The Wednesday rape case is of a woman who left the house around 19:00 to look for her brother at a tavern. When she got there she did not find her brother but her brothers friends suggested she drank beer with them as she waited for her sibling who was on the way. Shortly afterwards she went to the bathroom and that is when she was approached by three men who assaulted her and took her to a certain house and raped her.
The victim mentioned that she would be able to identify the suspects should she see them again. Sgt Ratau said that it is always best to travel in groups when going to a tavern.
“Even if you want to use the bathroom, ask a friend to accompany you. To avoid criminal activities that take place late at night, go home early.”
The fifth case took place at Klarinet where a child was raped by an older man.
Sgt David Ratau expressed his sadness about how children are being hurt and are victims of rape. He said little ones must be taken care of at all times.
“Should people know about such happening around them, they must not be shy to come forth and report the matter to us so we can take it further.”
Ratau warned mothers who knew about what is happening in the house and choose not report it, will be the co-accused and the child will be taken to a place of safety.
“People think police are only being harsh on them because of the 16 days of activism for no violence against women and children but that is not the case. We will be harsh throughout the year,” emphasised Sgt David Ratau.
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