The body of 24-year-old Sarah Van Wyk was found near the gate of her aunt’s home in the Northern Cape community of Wrenchville two weeks ago. A baby nappy had been stuffed in her mouth and the neck of a broken beer bottle was found in her vagina. Tissue paper was also found stuffed inside her ears.

An anonymous source said that Wyk had last been seen with a young man between the ages of 15 and 18 years old entering a local tavern. The two were reportedly carrying a pipe that some community members say is sometimes used to smoke  marijuana or the stimulant methcathinone, often known as “cat.”

Community members say they believe the man is from Cape Town and lives in the nearby Promise Land informal settlement. They recently gathered to demand justice for Wyk outside the Kuruman Magistrate’s Court where the suspect was appearing in court.

The case was postponed.

Meanwhile, many believe the alleged suspect’s drug abuse played a role in Wyk’s death.[quote float=”left”]”A baby nappy had been stuffed in her mouth and the neck of a broken beer bottle was found in her vagina”

“It is very disturbing that on the eve of the 16 Days of Activism… we still have cases of such “, said Raymond Segami who represents the men’s sector on the district’s civil society forum. “It is clear that the death of Sarah was caused by the use of drugs by the suspect. Illegal drugs are sold in local shops…”

Community Policing Forum volunteer Anna Eilerd told OurHealth that drug abuse was fuelling crime in the area. In response to Wyk’s death, a new community forum called Volunteers against Crime was formed and will join those working on the Community Policing Forum.

Local police urged parents to take an active interest in the lives of their children and to speak to their children about the dangers of using drug.

Wyk was laid to rest in her home village of Van Zylsrus in the Northern Cape. Her family have vowed to fight for justice to be served. – Health-e News.