Rape Latest: KZN SAPS now seek men to solve case
KwaZulu-Natal police have released images of two men who they are seeking to assist with solving a kidnapping and rape case.
Detectives from the Durban Central Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit have called on the public to assist with tracking down two men who are needed to help them to solve a case of kidnapping and rape.
KwaZulu-Natal SAPS spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele said the kidnapping and rape incident had occurred at The Workshop bus terminals in the Durban CBD. The unit has released the below two photographs of the men who the police are seeking.
“It is alleged that on 21 April 2021 at about 3.30pm, a 35-year-old victim was waiting for the bus to Inanda Township when two unknown males jumped off a white VW Polo and asked for the time,” Mbele said.
Mbele said the women told them the time and they left the scene. However, Mbele said that a few minutes later, the same vehicle reversed back to where the victim was waving for her bus and three unknown men grabbed her and forced her into the vehicle.
“Inside the vehicle there were three other males. The vehicle drove to place unknown to the victim where they all raped her,” Mbele said.
“They then put her inside the vehicle’s boot and dropped her in the Inanda area. Her cellphone, wallet with cash and bank cards were also taken,” Mbele said.
“We appeal to anyone who may have information regarding the males in the attached pictures to contact the investigating officer Detective Sergeant Cele on 083 3001 371 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.”
According to NGO coalition Shukumisa rape is one of the most under reported crimes in South Africa.
Justice Information Hub told The New Humanitarian that there are many complex reasons South Africa has such a high sexual offence rates.
The armed struggle against apartheid and the violent backlash and suppression that followed have led to a normalization of violence in South African society, she said. “Kids grew up seeing violence on their streets,” she told the publication.
More recently, high unemployment rates and poverty have left some “traumatised” people exposed to a lot of “social stresses”, she added. Finally, South Africa is a very paternalistic society where women are not seen as equals, contributing to abuse. “Rape, as you know, is not a sexual act but a violent act,” Lancaster said.
