The Northern Cape Department of Health has denied that there were any delays in assisting a woman who was raped in Lerato Park last week.
THE NORTHERN Cape Department of Health has denied that there were any delays in assisting a woman who was raped in Lerato Park last week.
According to community members, the woman had to wait six hours for medical assistance following an incident where she was brutally assaulted and raped on September 3.
The 49-year-old woman received 43 stitches after she was dragged on the rocky ground, kicked and beaten in the face and on her body.
Northern Cape Department of Health spokesperson Lulu Mxekezo said an emergency call was received at 10.15pm.
“An ambulance was dispatched as soon as it was possible to the address that was provided,” said Mxekezo.
“Rape and sexual assaults are such an unfortunate and sad reality that our communities, especially women and children, are exposed to on a daily basis and our personnel cannot exacerbate the humiliation further by delaying assistance to survivors.”
She added that there were standard operating procedures for managing survivors of sexual offences.
“All personnel abide by those guidelines and protocols. It is imperative for health personnel to maintain the confidentiality of patients including victims of sexual assault, hence further details cannot be provided,” Mxekezo stated.
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