Disturbing rape-related graffiti found at Horwood’s Farm sparks outrage
“As a mother myself and as someone who is actively involved with child welfare, it concerns me that there is a child or person out there with so much anger and hatred in them.”
Ward 18 Alderman Heather Hart has expressed shock and dismay after graphic and disturbing graffiti was found on the women’s bathroom door at Horwood’s Farm.
The offensive graffiti, which described rape and sexual assault in explicit detail, was brought to Hart’s attention towards the end of June by a concerned mother and community member who discovered it at the park.
“I am very grateful that this was brought to my attention,” Hart said.
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“As a mother myself and someone actively involved with Child Welfare, it deeply concerns me that there is a child or person with so much anger and hatred in them.
“While I don’t want to be judgmental, I would encourage anyone affected or involved to reach out to Child Welfare for counselling.”
Hart said reading the message, written in black marker, shocked her to the core. The graffiti detailed intentions of restricting a victim inside a bathroom stall, ripping their clothes, and assaulting them without protection.
“In all my terms as a councillor, I have never seen anything this horrific written anywhere else,” she added.
“We have had very little graffiti on toilet doors. This is the first time I have personally seen graffiti on the bathroom doors at Horwood’s Farm.”
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Hart recalled that the last time she saw graffiti on a public bathroom door was at Germiston Library two years ago, and even then it was not as vulgar or violent as this.
“When you think of how beautiful Horwood’s Farm is, the peace of the park and gardens, especially near the peace garden close to these bathrooms, I wish I knew who did this so I could help them,” she said.
Following the incident, Hart confirmed that Edenvale authorities would repaint the vandalised bathroom door.
Addressing the challenge of monitoring vandalism in bathrooms, she said, “It’s difficult to monitor this kind of behaviour, especially in bathrooms where you cannot install cameras or similar devices.”
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Although this appears to be an isolated incident, Hart urged the community to report any acts of vandalism to her or the city.
“The community volunteers and the city put a lot of effort into keeping the park maintained and in good condition,” she said.
Community members may contact Heather Hart at Heather.Hart@ekurhuleni.gov.za or call 082 902 1834 to report concerns.
