Cops probe rape of teen at matric Rage Fest
POLICE and organisers of the annual matric Rage Festival have confirmed that an 18-year-old partygoer was allegedly raped at a premier hotel in Umhlanga Rocks‚ in the north of Durban.
The girl reported being sexually assaulted‚ apparently at the Umhlanga Sands Hotel, on Monday.
The beachfront hotel has been block-booked for the festival attendees.
However‚ police had‚ by last night‚ not yet charged the suspect.
The incident has marred the week-long Durban Rage Festival‚ as thousands of teen revellers have flocked to the coast to party after their final exams.
Police spokesman Colonel Thulani Zwane confirmed detectives were dealing with a rape probe.
“Yes, an incident took place on Monday at a hotel in Umhlanga where an 18-year-old was allegedly raped by a known suspect. The suspect was arrested and will appear in court soon‚” he said.
Zwane said the man had been detained but had not yet been formally charged. It was unclear exactly when he would be charged.
Parents have paid thousands of rands for their children to let their hair down at the Rage, with packages priced from R800 to R4 500 for a VVIP ticket.
The sold-out Black passport‚ which was limited to 750‚ gives guests the ultimate‚ exclusive VVIP Rage Festival experience with private lounges with bars and welcome drinks.
Priya Naidoo‚ spokeswoman for Tsogo Sun‚ owner of Umhlanga Sands‚ confirmed an alleged incident.
“Tsogo Sun condemns any and all acts of sexual assault and the safety of our guests remains our highest priority‚” she said.
Paul Rowney‚ spokesman for the Red Frogs – a support group for school-leavers which sets up at the festival every year – said partygoers should be mindful of their friends.
“For us, we always want people to look after each other and never leave a mate behind. Make this about your friends, and that you are safe,” he said.
“This is an isolated alleged incident – the majority of the revelry has been incident free.”
Rage Festival spokesman Darren Sandos condemned the alleged rape.
“Rage Festival takes the safety of its festive community seriously. We are saddened.”