A sickening crime

The grotesque rape of a six year old in a restaurant in Pretoria should prompt serious soul-searching as this escalating menace is pervasive in South Africa (YOU, 11 October).

Violent rape in our beleaguered country can’t continue without drastic consequences for the perpetrators. Rape occurs every 26 seconds in our land, shrouding us in shame.

The latest incident has left the country horror-struck. This heinous crime depicts hair-raising, beastly and unparalleled behaviour.

The perverted perpetrator must be removed from society. He depicts extreme mental perversion not worthy of human condonation.

Our criminal justice system needs to restore society’s faith by adopting a zerotolerance policy. FAROUK ARAIE, BENONI I always imagined my first year at university would be as magical as the movies depict. I’d make friends, have fun and be outgoing while never forgetting the real reason I’m here: to study.

We never really hear of the darker side of it. This year I know of at least five rapes and three cases of domestic abuse.

We women are told not to walk alone at night, not to wear revealing clothes and not to be open about our sexuality and femininity.

What you should be telling men is not to rape and treat women like their property or else there’s no way forward for us. DISILLUSIONED, EMAIL Parktown Boys coach Collan Rex has given his victims a life sentence (YOU, 4 October). Such is the trauma of sexual assault. Hopefully his victims will have access to counselling. DISGUSTED, PRETORIA