Woodlands teen raped and left for dead
A 14-year-old Woodlands teen is in a critical condition at Groote Schuur Hospital after she was raped and left for dead on Lukannon Drive in Strandfontein.
She was found on the side of the road, half naked with stab wounds and her throat slit on Sunday October 24 at 6.23am by a Strandfontein police officer.
Strandfontein police are investigating cases of attempted murder and rape.
Western Cape police spokesman Warrant officer Joseph Swartbooi said the suspects were still at large.
Shahiem van Nelson, spokesman for the teen’s family, said she needed prayer and support.
He said her high school principal had offered counselling for the family and her classmates.
Lentegeur community police forum (CPF) had also offered counselling and support.
The community came together for a vigil in Woodlands on Monday, October 25, evening to pray for a speedy recovery and to rid the community of the scourge of gender-based violence and sexual assault.
Sandy Schuter-Flowers, Strandfontein CPF chairwoman, said the girl was rushed to hospital and the matter was handed over to the Mitchell’s Plain SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit.
She said tests had to be done to determine whether the girl’s vocal chords were affected, which could affect her speech.
“She was basically left for dead,” said Ms Schuter-Flowers.
This incident comes as Strandfontein police station is establishing a gender-based violence (GBV) desk, situated in the client service centre (CSC). It is reserved for the GBV victims.
She said all victims had to be treated with respect and dignity and that they should be interviewed by a trained police official in a victim-sensitive manner.
Ms Schuter-Flowers said victims should be assisted in a victim friendly room (VFR) or an alternative room where the statement would be taken in private or in another location providing victim support services.
She said victims should be taken or referred to a healthcare professional for a medical examination to obtain medical evidence, complete a medical report and provide healthcare to the victim.
“We will ensure that the investigation is conducted by FCS or by a detective with relevant training.
“We will refer all victims to victim support services that are available in the precinct for legal, medical, social and psychological help; and provide feedback to victims on the progress of their cases,” she said.
Ms Schuter-Flowers said in line with the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service six point plan to promote and protect the rights of women, children and vulnerable groups, with the buy-in of Strandfontein police station commander Captain Ruwayne Muller, more of their station’s officers would be going on refresher courses on dealing with victims of domestic violence and sexual offence.
Strandfontein community activist Mario Oostendurp said he had proposed to the City of Cape Town in 2014 already, to fence off and “lockdown” the area notorious for rape and murder.
He said the beach road is an escape route for bus, vehicle, house, business and bus stop robberies.
“Nine out of 10 times Lukannon Drive, via Bayview and Camp Road, is the getaway route for criminals on foot and in vehicles,” he said.
Mr Oostendurp said there has been an increase in crime and a lack of SAPS, metro, law enforcement patrols, except for a limited number of dedicated volunteer neighbourhood watch and block members.
He said the road has four entrances and exits that fall within the nature reserve which is regulated by nature conservation authorities.
He proposed the realignment of law enforcement patrols; restricted access times between 9pm and 5am; and fencing similar to Strandfontein Road, along the back of Bayview, to limit access to Baden Powell Drive.
Anyone with information can call Crime Stop on 086 001 0111.
For more information about the GBV desk and for support call Ms Schuter-Flowers on 071 947 8294, Strandfontein police station domestic violence coordinator Constable Shiron Moolman-Harris on 021 370 1500 or 021 370 1501.