The family of a 16-year-old girl from Phoenix who was allegedly kidnapped while on the way to write her exams on Wednesday, 9 November, say that the road to her recovery will be long and difficult as she has been left traumatised and severely injured by her attackers, who also raped and dumped her near a water treatment plant.
Speaking to The Phoenix Tabloid, a security guard at the water treatment plant in Stonebridge, where the learner was found after the sexual assault, said: “I was on duty at the gate when I noticed a young female, dressed in school uniform, walking and crying hysterically. I recognised her as she lives in my area and approached her to ask if she was okay. After she calmed down, she told me what had happened to her. I called KZN VIP for help, which is the nearest security company in the area. The security company arrived a few minutes later and attended to the girl before transporting her to Mahatma Gandhi Hospital.”
A family spokesperson, Andile Zulu* said that they are devastated and shocked by the incident. “I was at home on the day of the incident, when a security company came to fetch me and informed about what had happened to my sister.” Recalling the day, he said Ntokozo* left home as usual that morning around 7:30am. “She normally walks to school with her friends but because of examinations they all had different schedules on that day, so she was walking alone. On her way to school, she was approached by three unknown men in their 30s, driving in a black car. She couldn’t identify the make of the vehicle. The men jumped out of the vehicle, grabbed her and shoved her inside the car before speeding off,” said Zulu.
He said: “They drove for a few minutes around the area with her before taking her to the Polar Park informal settlement, along Stonebridge Drive, where they proceeded to sexually assault her in the nearby bushes. Once they were done, the perpetrators then dropped her near the water treatment plant where she was found by a security guard. We are all devastated by this horrible incident, this shouldn’t have happened to her, she didn’t deserves this. I hope the perpetrators are found and punished accordingly. My family wants justice.” Spokesperson for KZN VIP, Gareth Naidoo confirmed that KZN VIP Medics and Response Units attended to the scene where a 16-year-old female was alleged to have been raped by three African male suspects. He said: “KZN VIP Medics arrived on scene and treated the patient before transporting her to hospital for further medical attention.” The horrific incident happened as
South Africa ushers in 16 Days Activism for No Violence against Women and Children Campaign from 25 November to 10 December, and youth’s in midst of their exams. Clinical Social Worker, Hannah Annie Varaden said it is sad that children are being kidnapped and raped in the very neighbourhood that’s supposed to be a safe place for children. “In Phoenix and many other surrounding areas, children are experiencing complex and multiple traumas. It is heart breaking to note that a 16-year-old on her way to school, with the anxiety of the examination on her mind, probably reading her notes as she walked was accosted by three adult males who kidnapped and raped her. I cannot imagine the trauma and fear that she went through when all of this was happening. Children who have been sexually assaulted experience fear, anxiety, shame, guilt, the feeling of being dirty and used, as well as suicidal thoughts. Rape is a violation not only of the physical body but the psychological, mental and emotional state. It is one of the deepest violations a young female child can experience.”
“It’s very important for parents and caregivers to be extra cautious because we live in a very broken world, there’s so much of dysfunction and cycles of abuse and our women and children are very vulnerable. We need to educate our young girls and children on how to be safe, not to walk alone but walk in groups. If parents can pick and drop off children prioritise that. The safety of our children is so important. The school’s time tables is important for parents to note because the modus operandi of these perpetrators is planned and they drive around looking for vulnerable children to kidnap.”
Community Policing Forum PRO Mark Nadasen said: “The heinous crime called rape has no face and shows its victim no mercy. It is appalling to think that our children are at risk of falling prey to this atrocious act whilst en route to school during broad daylight. Parents please advise your children to become more aware of their surroundings. Encourage them to walk in groups as there is strength in numbers. Attackers are more likely to pounce on unsuspecting victims whilst they are alone as it would be easier to restrain them. We call upon law enforcement to take action and bring those responsible to justice. We have full faith that justice will be served,” added Nadasen.
Phoenix SAPS communications officer, Captain Louise Naidoo confirmed that a case of rape and abduction was opened at the station. She said: “The incident occurred between 7.30am and 10.30am on 9 November. The complainant alleges she was on foot to school when a black vehicle with unknown registration pulled up next to her. Three African males forcefully pulled her into the vehicle and drove to a bushy area in Polar Park where the victim was raped. No arrests have been made as yet.” NB: The names used in the article have been changed to protect the identity of the sexual assault victim.
