Two women were raped last week, the week that the national ‘16 Days of Activism against woman and child abuse campaign was launched.
The first incident took place during a house robbery in Baillie Park at around 02:00 on Thursday morning. According to Brig. Sabata Mokgwabone, a police spokesperson, an 18-year-old woman was raped after four armed robbers tied her up along with two of her friends. ‘No suspect has been taken into custody yet,’ said Mokgwabone.
The second case was reported at around 04:00 on Saturday morning. According to WO Mpho Manyoba, the police spokesperson, the woman was walking home in Spruit Street when she noticed a man running towards her. She immediately started running away but the man caught up with her. She tried to scream but he held his hand over her mouth and threatened her with a weapon. He instructed her to take off her pants after which he raped her. According to Manyoba, the suspect tried to get the victim to his house but she convinced him that she first needed to buy water at the filling station.
While there, she managed to borrow a phone and called the police. As the police arrived, the suspect fled but was later arrested on a charge of rape.