A 49-year-old Kimberley woman who was bleeding profusely after being raped and brutally assaulted had to wait six hours for medical assistance.
A 49-YEAR-old Kimberley woman who was bleeding profusely after being raped and brutally assaulted had to wait six hours for medical assistance on the weekend.
Lerato Park community members threatened to mete out mob justice on September 3 when the suspect, who was also covered in blood, was not immediately arrested following the incident.
The angry community members pointed out that rape victims often suffer secondary trauma from a “failed justice system”.
“The authorities said that she could have immediately been assisted if she was only assaulted,” the community members said.
“The police told us that the ambulance needed to treat the patient before a docket could be opened.
“The ambulance, in turn, refused to transport the patient until the police had arrived on the scene with a rape kit.”
The complainant’s husband said they were drinking together at their home on September 3.
“My wife later told me that she had begged the suspect’s sister to persuade him to stop harassing her. I left the house at 8pm as I had to see my employer for about an hour. During that time, the suspect attacked and raped my wife.”
He added that, upon returning home, he found the 36-year-old suspect lying on top of his wife in the backyard.
“He dragged her on the rocky ground and kicked her in her face and body. She was naked and her eyes were swollen from the repeated assaults. He was choking her and threatened to kill her if she screamed. He denied harming her and told me that she wanted to have sex with him, where he never made use of a condom,” said the husband.
“I was so angry but I decided not to lose my temper … my focus was on protecting my wife. I advised the community not to take the law into their own hands, as they were in uproar.”
The complainant was transported to the hospital at around 3am.
The husband said his wife received 43 stitches to her face and body, while there was blood oozing out of her ears.
“She was discharged on Monday but is still in a lot of pain and is extremely traumatised.”
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock said the Galeshewe SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit is investigating a rape incident that allegedly occurred in Lerato Park on September 3.
“The male suspect was arrested on September 4 and is expected to appear in the Galeshewe Magistrate’s Court soon,” said Kock.
“The police followed all the necessary procedures and confirm that there is no shortage of rape kits. The investigation continues,” he added.
The Northern Cape Department of Health stated that it would respond to media enquiries on Wednesday.
