A 59-year-old woman, who said she was assaulted and raped last year, has been asked for a statement by police only at the beginning of April. She said thing else has been done and no arrests have been made.
Lilly* opened a case of rape and assault at Kagiso Police Station in December after her house allegedly had been broken into. She said she was hit on the head with a panga and raped.
Last week, Democratic Alliance proportional representation (PR) ward councillor, Botshelo Moloisane, met Lilly during a door-to-door campaign in the area. She told him her story and he decided to intervene.
“I have been to the police station countless times, but there is always some sort of excuse as to why they have not yet contacted her,” he said.
Moloisane approached the police who said they were awaiting finger prints on the case.
Meanwhile, Lilly said she recognised the voice of the person who attacked her and said it was not the first time he had broken into her house.
According to Warrant Officer Solomon Sibiya, police spokesperson, the case is still being investigated.
According to LifeLine, a telephone service that offers support and hope to those in distress, it is estimated that a violent attack of rape happens every five minutes and that one in three women in South Africa will be raped.
LifeLine has compiled a list of your rights if you were raped:
• You have the right to be treated with dignity and respect
• You have the right to make a statement in your own words and in a private place
• You have the right to request that a female officer take your statement
• You have the right to see the officer in charge at the police station if you feel you are not being treated properly
To contact the LifeLine crisis number, call 011 953 4111.
*Name has been changed to protect the possible victim of rape.
Also read:
• Women gang-raped – police on high alert
• Man falsely accused of rape sets record straight
• Man tries to rape woman for the second time
