By Molefi Sompane
…As police appeal for public help to nab suspects
DANNEYSVILLE – Police have stepped up patrols in response to a spike in rape incidents that have scared women in Refengkgotso Township in Danneysville, north east of the Free State into staying indoors.Women in the area are now afraid to walk alone even in broad daylight.
Police Detective, Warrant Officer Lindi Mashea of Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit said on Monday, August 13 that rape cases had risen 50 percent recently.
Police statistics released last year indicated a national drop in rape cases by 2 136, from 68 332 to 66 196 between 2009 and 2011.
The Free State recorded the second highest incidences of rape in the country after the Western Cape. The same report revealed that while five provinces recorded a decrease in sexual offences, Free State had an increase of 8.6 percent, which has been labelled a “cause for concern”.
Mashea said: “Refengkgotso has a high rate of rape. Most of the victims are attacked at night on their way home from taverns. The incidents happen at fortnight intervals when people get paid or at the end of the month. We receive six to eight cases every weekend each fortnight, mid of the month and at the end of it.”
In this small town of approximately 50 000 households, women are afraid to be left alone or to walk alone on the streets.
Last weekend, a woman claimed she was raped as she was coming from a local shebeen.
Police have confirmed the arrest of a 22-year-old suspect who appeared before a Heilbron magistrate on Monday, August 6 and was charged with rape and assault with the intention to cause grievously bodily harm. The case was postponed.
“The 24-year old victim alleges that she was walking in the street and came across the suspect who pushed her down and forced his finger into her and assaulted her,” Constable Peter Kareli said.
He confirmed that the suspect was apprehended by members of the community who later called the police.
“They saw what was happening and came to the victim’s rescue, chasing the suspect until they caught him and handed him over to the police.”
Meanwhile, a 27- year-old Refengkgotso woman had to be taken for trauma counselling after she was raped in her own house by an intruder who pretended to be her husband.
The incident happened at Themba Kubheka section where the victim told police that a stranger knocked on the door and pretended to be her husband. When she opened the door, the stranger armed with a knife, ordered her to undress and threatened to kill her.
“He then raped the victim and fled,” Kareli added.
Trauma counseling expert Dr Helen Marais told Public Eye that she receives five to seven victims or rape regularly.
“I receive a high volume of clients who mainly get raped by people who they know from parties, liquor stores and other places,” she said.
“The surprising problem is that most of the victims are between the age of 16 and 30 years of age,” Marais added.
While South Africa is still celebrating women’s month, on Sunday, August 5 the residents of Phomolong Location were shocked to hear a woman screaming for help.
Serame Lesia, a community member said he went out to investigate and realised that a woman was being assaulted.
“It was still early, I heard the screaming and my wife asked me to check on what was happening, and then I saw two people who looked like they are fighting. I then called on other members for rescue of a lady. When I raised the alarm, the suspect fled and we chased after him until we caught him and called the cops,” he said.
Lesia said: “I suspect that culprit was under influence of marijuana or Nyaope. It was too early a time for thugs operate.”
Phomolong location was in the spot light last year when a nine years girl was found murdered by her stepfather. The incident had united the members of the community to fight crime against women and children.
Simon Mongali said the community was still mourning the death of the young girl. “Both of the culprits will rot in jail. These criminal acts are annoying us. We are calling our people to help the police with their investigations so we reduce the number of jackals among ourselves.”
Mashea appealed to the public to help them with information that could help them nab the suspect. Any person who might have heard anything or even seen anything is requested to call Mashea on 082 466 8121 or contact the local Police on 016 371 1110.
Meanwhile, Free State police said an orphaned girl was raped by her 20-year-old cousin while sleeping in one bed with two other small children. The man was arrested and appeared before a Ladybrand magistrate on Wednesday; August 15.The case was postponed to August 23 for a formal bail application.