Sanet’s mother welcomes probe into ‘validity’

SANET DE LANGE’S mother, also named Sanet, has welcomed the police’s investigation into the validity of her daughter’s claim that she was assaulted and had to flee for her life.

Her 18-year-old daughter had said she jumped out of a metered taxi in Rondebosch in the early hours of July 10, fearing for her life, and that she was viciously attacked by three men.

A Rondebosch police patrol unit found a badly assaulted Sanet unconscious, close to a church. She was taken to the police station and then an ambulance took her to Groote Schuur Hospital. The teen had concussion and needed 10 stitches to her head; she also had cuts and bruises on her body.

A nurse recognised her and contacted her mother. Sanet was transferred to Panorama Hospital. Her family accused the police of not allowing them to lodge a complaint, claiming they were told she was “just another drunk girl”.

The police have launched an internal investigation into the allegation.

The family hired private investigator Jack Brice, who recovered footage of Sanet outside Tiger Tiger, a popular club on the first floor of Stadium on Main in Claremont.

Sanet is seen leaving the club shortly after 4am, followed by three men.

Later footage shows her standing in a queue at a fastfood outlet and the three men a few steps behind her.

Footage from outside the outlet shows her getting into the front seat of a black cab with a yellow roof. Two of the men get into the back seat.

Police spokesperson André Traut said yesterday they had been investigating claims that the young woman had been assaulted, but on Friday there were new developments that could impact on how valid Sanet’s version of events are.

“We need to know what we are investigating, we have to have an accurate picture,” Traut said.

Sanet says she has very little recollection of what happened after she chose to stay on at Tiger Tiger in the early hours of July 10.