2 rapes within 24 hours send shockwaves through Verulam

The heinous crimes have angered members of the community, who want to take back the streets from these sexual predators, Phoenix Sun reports.

Communications officer of Verulam SAPS, Cpt Henry Kisten, confirmed that in the first incident, the girl was raped by a man at the Moutview Tennis Courts on Amora Drive in Mountview, on Sunday.

The Reaction Unit South Africa Verulam Operations Centre received a call from a member of public requesting assistance after he noticed a man walking with a child towards the tennis courts.

The caller found it suspicious that the child was being led to an isolated area and contacted the security company for assistance.

The officers proceeded to the location and searched for the child but were later informed that the family and members of the community organised a search party and located the child on the R102. The girl was then taken back to her residence.

Head of RUSA, Prem Balram, said, “Medics proceeded to the home and upon arrival, met with the child who explained that while walking to a tuckshop with friends, she was accosted by a man, who was dark in complexion, dressed in a white T-shirt and black pants. He convinced her to leave the group and informed her that he required her assistance in collecting R800 owed to him. The girl proceeded with the man to the tennis courts where he attempted to strangle her before he raped her. Her family launched a search party after she failed to return home and located her along the R102. Paramedics found semen on her clothing.”

Cpt Kisten confirmed that in the second incident, the woman was raped by two men during a robbery in Phase 5, Waterloo, on Monday.

Reaction Unit South Africa received a call from the victim’s place of employment after she arrived at work and reported the rape.

She informed officers that while walking to work, she was accosted by two men. One suspect drew a knife and placed it on her back while his accomplice robbed her of her Samsung cellphone and wallet.

“According to the emotional woman, one of the robbers suggested to his accomplice that they rape her due to her being young and pretty. The two men then took turns in raping her on the side of the road. Both suspects wore face masks and baseball caps to hide their identities. They fled on foot following the incident. The victim then returned to her residence where she changed her clothing and proceeded to her place of employment where she reported the incident,” said Balram.

She was transported to Verulam SAPS where a case of rape had been registered.

Cpt Kisten said, “We are urging young women to try not to walk alone on empty roads that are close to bushes, especially late in the evenings or the early hours of the morning. Do not be misled by suspicious men asking for assistance. Do not take lifts from strangers. Always be aware of your surroundings and those around you.”

The incidents caused an outcry on social media with many weighing in on the atrocious crimes.

In a Facebook post, an angry resident said, “I strongly suggest that perhaps the good people of Waterloo gather and find a way to ensure that nobody walks alone going forth. Children must also be looked after and perhaps the community coming together is all the change that is needed. I am so sorry to the victim of this violent crime.”

Another poster said, “This is the very same phase I’m staying at and this scared the hell out of me, I was also held at gunpoint in 2017 while waiting for a taxi in the morning. The suspect took my cellphone, luckily he did not touch me. Waterloo is turning into something else really.”

Many were also concerned that its easy for perpetrators to hide their identities as they were wearing masks in the second incident.

“Criminals are taking advantage of Covid-19 and the fact that we are all using masks or buffs. Now when you see a stranger with a mask or buff approaching, it’s difficult to know whether that person is just going to walk pass or grab your stuff,” said a concerned local.