An educator from Kuruman, who attended a training workshop that was hosted by the Northern Cape Department of Education in Kimberley last week, was left traumatised after she was allegedly attacked at knifepoint at a city guest house.
AN EDUCATOR from Kuruman, who attended a training workshop that was hosted by the Northern Cape Department of Education in Kimberley last week, was left traumatised after she was allegedly attacked at knifepoint at a city guest house.
Another local guest house owner, who met the educator at the police station, said that the complainant was awoken at around 2am on February 11 by a suspect who was standing over her bed.
“He broke her necklace and shoved a stone and a cap in her mouth in an attempt to prevent her from screaming and almost raped her.
“She managed to scream like crazy and one of her colleagues ran to her assistance, whereupon the suspect escaped through the bathroom window.
“She told me that the security guards claimed that they did not know anything until her co-workers had alerted them about the incident. The guest house owner never called her to check if she was alright. She still wakes up at night, screaming.”
Another workshop will be held in the city this weekend.
Northern Cape Department of Education spokesperson Geoffrey van der Merwe confirmed that the incident occurred during the departmental literature workshop that was held in Kimberley last weekend.
“An intruder attempted to gain access to the room of an educator at a Kimberley guest house,” said Van der Merwe.
He stated that 510 educators who participated in the workshop were accommodated at guest houses with sufficient security.
“The department procured accommodation where educators could feel safe. This specific guest house in question has all security measures in place, including access control. Hence it is still uncertain how the suspect gained access to the premises.
“It appears as if the intruder attempted to gain access to the room through an open window. Before the intruder could enter, the educator screamed, which alarmed the other guests. The intruder fled and a rock and knife were found on the scene.”
Van der Merwe added that the educator was booked off after the traumatic experience.
“We requested the district office to provide psychosocial support. A case was opened at the SAPS for further investigation. The workshop planned for this weekend will continue. We have alerted all guest houses to put in place the necessary security measures.”
