Rape ‘out of control’ in E Cape village

“One of them wore a balaclava and told me to take my skirt and jersey off,’€ Nasiphi told OurHealth. ‘€œI screamed and called my mother, but they pulled me outside where both men raped me and left me in the nearby bush.”

Nasiphi’€™s mother said: “When I realised what had happened I went to wake neighbours who blew a whistle alerting the community that there is a problem. About ten men searched the area and found one of the accused in an empty house.”

Nasiphi was taken to the St Elizabeth Hospital in Lusikisiki where she received a rape kit and was examined at the Thuthuzela Rape Centre. She also received HIV counselling and post-exposure prophylaxis to ward off potential HIV infection.

“She is distressed and traumatised by the experience she went through,” said Nasiphi’€™s mother who was very upset.

Another Bazana community member, Nomsa Ntswayibana said: “Every parent loves his or her child and want them to be prosperous and happy. Justice needs to be served”.

“Child sexual abuse is a complex phenomenon, which deprives their human rights, dignity and chilhood. Rape is a wide spread and a serious health issue in the Eastern Cape,” commented Zukile Madikizela, a community mobilise for the Treatment Action Campaign.

The suspect was taken into police custody and a case was opened. “Rape in the area is out of control,’€ said the investigating officer. ‘€œDrastic measures need to be taken to combat this, and we need community support by reporting these incidents so that the culprits will not go free.”

* Not her real name

Story by Tandeka Vinjwa-Hlongwane, an OurHealth Citizen Journalist reporting from Lusikisiki in the OR Tambo health district in the Eastern Cape.

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