Building up to the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, Witbank Police spokesperson Capt Eddie Hall is alarmed by the number of cases reported this past week. Three rapes and one child abuse case were opened at the station.
The most recent incident happened on Sunday, November 12 when two women were approached by four men at a cafe-bar and cocktail restaurant. The men sat together with the women at the table.
A police report states that at 02:00 the women wanted to go home to Lynnville when two of the men offered to give them a lift home.
The one man drove a white Mercedes-Benz offered to take the one woman home and the other male suspect took the second woman home, they were also travelling in a Mercedes which was red in colour.
The plan elaborated by the male suspects was that they wanted to first fill their cars with petrol, pass somewhere to get money then take the women home.
The suspects drove past town until they reached plots. The two women were raped in one of the back rooms. After that the women were dropped off at Lynnville. In their report the women said they would be able to identify the men.
Capt Hall mentioned that when you are in a public space you must: Not allow anyone to touch you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable, be firm and clear; Do not leave a party or social event with someone you do not know or have just met; Do not hitch-hike; Walk in groups especially at night as criminals take advantage when you are alone.
On Thursday, November 9 a 13-year-old girl was raped at Klarinet, Extension three. The girl alleged she was raped by a 19-year-old boy who attends the same church as she does. The case was reported to the police by her mother.
At 15:35 on the same day a third rape incident happened at Old Coronation.
A woman was at her home preparing dinner when her three-year-old child came back crying alleging that she had been hurt in her private part. The little girl was bleeding. The mother took her daughter to the hospital to be examined and the hospital called the police to open a rape case.
Capt Hall provided hints such as: Keep a whistle and blow it if you need help; Try and remember what the attacker looks like; his age, race, height, hair colour, scars, tattoos, clothes, voice, jewellery; Scream, yell, blow your whistle or run away if you possibly can; Do not bathe or change your clothes after an attack, keep all the evidence so that it can be used by the police for further investigations; Report the crime to the police service straight away; Report rape and help others to report it as well; Remember that a sexual assault is not your fault.
In Jackaroo Park a woman was arrested for child abuse. On Friday, November 11 a man came back from work and found his helper with his two children. She was busy feeding the two-year-old boy. The eldest child told the father that he saw the helper assault the two-year-old with a washrag.
The little one was assaulted because he apparently relieved himself in the bath when he was being bathed by the helper. The little boy sustained bruises on his body.
The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children will run from November 25 to December 10. The campaign aims to stir up action to end violence against women and children around the world.
ALSO READ
https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/101421/two-cases-rape-opened-phola/
https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/95698/two-rape-cases-opened-youngest-six-year-old/
