Cape Town - A nineteen-year-old from Makhaza, Khayelitsha, is recovering in hospital after she was gang-raped and assaulted, allegedly by an ex-lover and his friends, while she was walking home from a friend’s house on Sunday.
The teen has been admitted to Groote Schuur Hospital where doctors are tending to her broken jaw as well as other head injuries.
Police spokesperson FC Van Wyk said two suspects aged 23 and 25 have been arrested and are in custody.
“A rape case was registered after a 19-year-old girl from Makhaza was allegedly raped in the early hours of Sunday in 41 Block Makhaza, Khayelitsha.
“According to reports a group of suspects accosted the victim and took turns raping her. Once charged they are expected to appear in Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court,” said Van Wyk.
The survivor’s father, whose name is being withheld to protect her, said the community promised to take the law into their own hands should the suspects be released from jail.
He said there was a third person involved. Police did not confirm this on Wednesday.
“Right now I am not feeling well, my blood pressure is very high and I am also a diabetic person.
“As we speak my daughter can’t talk or eat, her jaws are damaged, including her head. On the day of the incident, I was sleeping at my house and it was in the early hours of the morning when one of the boys from the street came to knock on my door.
I thought he was in trouble and I opened it immediately.
He told me that my daughter was dying, and she was being beaten to death.
When I rushed to the scene, the boys were already gone. She was helped by residents who heard her cry. I thought she was dead the way she was so bad.
“One of the suspects is her ex-boyfriend and I don’t understand why he did this to my daughter because they are not dating anymore. I don’t want to see these boys anymore, I just wish that they rot in jail. I am unemployed and I was looking up to her for many things. I haven't heard anything from the prosecutor on what is happening with the case and I don't know why,” said Zingisile.
Ilitha Labantu spokesperson Siyabulela Monakali said communities need to work together.
“We are deeply saddened by the high rate of violence perpetrated on women in South Africa, with specific reference to the Cape Flats communities,” said Monakali.
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stop anonymously on 086 001 0111.
Cape Times