Public outcry after jogger assault

The woman (33) had reportedly been running on the road between Mataffin and Sabie/Lydenburg when an unknown man attacked her.

The police said the jogger had tried to fight back, but the man overpowered her and dragged her to a nearby bush where he assaulted her before stealing her watch and throwing her into the Crocodile River.

The provincial police spokesperson, Brig Leonard Hlathi, said the woman was initially unconscious when she was hurled into the river, but quickly regained consciousness and swam to shore where she managed to call for help.

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Hlathi said she was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital and was later discharged. She suffered bruises all over her body.

He said the police are investigating a case of rape and common robbery, and no arrests have been made yet.

The Mbombela community members quickly took to social media to share their concerns for the jogger, as well as their outrage over the incident, demanding that the police work quickly to arrest the assaulter.

Joining in on the community’s call for justice was the MEC for community safety, security and liaison, Vusi Shongwe. He called on the police to urgently bring to book any person linked to the attack and rape.

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Shongwe said the police should treat this case, and many other gender-based violence cases, “with a sense of urgency to ensure perpetrators have no space to breathe”.

“The police must pursue the culprits and urgently follow all leads, because the suspects won’t come to the police. When we successfully punish them, our communities will work with us in the fight against GBV,” said Shongwe.

He labelled the incident as not only an attack on the woman, but as a continued onslaught on society, particularly women and children.

“We must all work together to end the scourge of GBV so that women and children may live peacefully and without fear of being attacked.”

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He also advised joggers to avoid running and walking in isolated places alone, especially after dark, and urged people to try to run in groups.

Hi-Tech Security’s operations manager, Callum mac Pherson, said staying safe as a jogger and taking measures to protect themselves could be quite difficult, as the jogger does not go out in a controlled environment.

“It can be really difficult to try and advise joggers of safety measures. Nobody’s movements should be restricted out of fear of crime.

“Joggers should try to run in groups, but it can be difficult to find running partners.

“Some people may say it is a good idea to run in well-lit and well-populated areas, but this is not possible for everyone, and with well-populated areas comes higher traffic volumes, which can be a danger to runners in itself.”

Mac Pherson added that running with some sort of weapon could also be very dangerous to the runner, as any weapon can be used against you, especially if the jogger is not familiar with the weapon or has not had much practice using it.

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“The most important thing is your mindset. Gear your mind for self-defence, just try to be observant and watch who is doing what around you. Criminals will always try to use the element of surprise,” he said.

Mac Pherson added, however, that this was an “extreme incident” for Mbombela and that no one, especially the jogger, should be blamed for thinking the area was safe enough to jog in. The criminal is the one who should carry the blame.

“It is also particularly difficult for women, because often they become targets themselves, not their phones or watches. Women have been raped and assaulted just walking to work in the morning, because they themselves are the target of the criminal.”

GRIP’s founder, Barbara Kenyon, said it was every person’s human right to walk freely.

“I have seen several social media comments suggesting the jogger somewhat played a part in the horrific incident by choosing to run early in the morning.

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“This mindset is absolutely disgusting. People have the right to walk and run freely and this incident is definitely not an indictment on the jogger, but on the attacker.”

She added that rape and assault were never the victim’s fault, and that it was important that the community realise this and stop making comments suggesting otherwise.

“What does it say about your compassion if you try and blame this woman who just wanted to go for a jog? People can be attacked anywhere and it is never their fault.”

Anyone with information regarding this case may contact Det Const Sphiwe Maseko on 079-256-4208.