Victim’s relief as rape case is reopened

A BUCHANANA rape victim has expressed relief with the news that the police have reopened a case of rape against six suspects.

The victim (36) claims she was drugged and raped by six men in June this year, and reported the incident at the Ntambanana Police Station.

‘I hope those who raped me will be prosecuted and found guilty.

‘On Thursday last week I was shocked when the prosecutor and investigating officer told me the case had been withdrawn because the incident occurred at night and it was dark in the room.

‘They said the court would not accept the evidence as I did not see the rapists, but only heard them calling each other by name,’ said the victim.

According to her, DNA tests confirmed that she was raped by six suspects.

‘I was disappointed with the manner in which the SAPS and the NPA handled my case. That’s why I decided to involve the media to intervene in this matter.

‘I am glad that today my case has been reopened and the investigation is underway,’ she said.

The victim alleges that family members of the suspects have offered to pay her whatever she wants, provided she withdraws the rape case.

‘I was traumatised when the investigating officer advised me to accept the offer. It was a slap in the face.

‘That made me believe that the investigating officer had accepted a bribe from the suspects as I rejected their offer before,’ she said.

The Eyethu Bay Watch has learnt from reliable sources within the SAPS that the case had been closed.

But King Cetshwayo Police Cluster spokesperson, Captain Mbongeni Mdlalose, said the case was still under investigation and rejected claims that the case had been withdrawn.