Another University of Cape Town (UCT) student has been raped near Rhodes Memorial, bringing the number of reported attacks in the area recently to at least four, the Citizen reported.
“I am very distressed and outraged once again to report that another female University of Cape Town student has been sexually assaulted while walking on the mountain towards Rhodes Memorial,” acting UCT communication and marketing executive director Kylie Hatton said in an alert on the official UCT website.
The latest attack took place on Thursday night, and was reported to UCT campus protection services (CPS) by the SA Police Service (SAPS) on Friday morning, she said.
The student crossed the M3 bridge near Rhodes Avenue at about 6pm and walked uphill towards Rhodes Memorial. On her way back at about 8pm she was attacked and dragged into the bushes and raped repeatedly. She was eventually released at about 1am on Friday morning, and reported the incident to the SAPS.
“Police verify that this case appears to be the work of a serial criminal who most likely committed three other recent attacks on the mountain that were reported in December and January. They say the attacker has been described as a well-spoken man who engages in conversation with those he attacks. He is of slender build in his mid-20s. He appears to know the mountain well, and wears a hoodie with black pants,” Hatton said.
She urged all students and staff again to exercise caution when walking in areas off campus. “If you notice any suspicious activity on or near campus, please alert the security office immediately. If you need assistance, please call CPS on 021-650-2222/3 (available 24/7). We recommend you store this number on speed dial on your phone.”
UCT took steps last month to place additional security at the bridge over the M3, a thoroughfare for students walking to upper campus.
“We continue to seek new ways to work together with the police, South African National Parks [SANParks], and other stakeholders to respond to this kind of criminal activity, and to create a safer space for everyone to move around. Students and staff are advised to use the Jammie Shuttle, to use the UCT blue route where possible, and to avoid walking alone. We ask you to please also review and follow the safety and security checklist on the UCT website.”
Hatton said the SAPS had also warned about two other types of crime, seemingly focusing particularly on students.
First, robberies at ATMs had been taking place along Main Road in Mowbray, Rondebosch, and Observatory, she said.
Second, flat scams requesting EFT deposits. “Suspects are placing adverts on sites like Gumtree to offer flats to let, using pictures of flats that are actually situated in Sea Point but advertising the address in Mowbray, particularly in Selby Road. Applicants are asked to make EFT payments as deposit without the option of viewing or obtaining keys to the flats,” Hatton said.
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