The heinous rape of three female security officers stationed at the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport office in Merebank on Monday 27 November, has sparked outrage in the community, especially in the midst of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport stated it was appalled at the attack and rape of the three female security officers by criminals targeting departmental offices in the eThekwini region.
According to the reports, heavily armed criminals entered the Department of Transport offices in Merebank, south of Durban, at around 02h30 this morning (Monday).
“They kept hostage three male security officers, who belong to the private security company contracted to the department. Sadly, three female officers who were held at gunpoint in another room were sexually assaulted and raped. The criminals also stole departmental work tools used for road maintenance and other assets,” the KZN Department of Transport said in a statement.
The department further reported that the female staff were taken in for a medical examination, and cases have been opened with the police. The investigating team has also visited the department’s offices to initiate the investigation and is giving this case high priority.
Upon receiving reports of the incident, the MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Sipho Hlomuka, assigned the Head of Department, Siboniso Mbhele, to urgently visit the site and engage with other staff members, who were still traumatized.
After meeting with the office management and staff, HOD Mbhele said the department would closely examine improving security at the offices and urged the police to move swiftly in arresting the suspects.
“Our staff are in fear after this incident. This will affect morale and seriously impact on service delivery. The cruelty by these criminals against female security officers is unacceptable. Crime against women must be condemned by all of us, especially during such a critical campaign of no violence against women and children. We appeal to the police to activate a high-level investigating team and soon bring these heartless criminals to book. We are also addressing security improvements in our premises to protect staff and our equipment. We appeal to members of the community to work with the police in reporting anyone who is selling departmental equipment,” said Mbhele.
Mbhele also said that the department has arranged for psychosocial services to assist the staff members at the center to be able to continue with their daily duties.
The Department within eThekwini has been the subject of a criminal syndicate, attacking staff members at gunpoint, stealing brush cutters, and other equipment.
Ethekwini District SAPS communications officer, Captain Carmen Rhynes, confirmed the incident and said: “It is alleged about 02:00 this morning eight (8) African male suspects entered a company in Silkot Crescent in Merebank, jumping over the perimeter fence. They were all armed with firearms, and some had knives. They tied up all the guards, which were two males and three females, and started removing tyres and tools from the premises. Their cellphones were also taken, as well as their company radios.” Cpt Rhynes added: “While some suspects were removing items, other suspects took the three female guards and raped them. The suspects also fired one round into the air before leaving the company. No arrests have yet been made, and the investigation is ongoing. A case of business robbery and three cases of rape have been opened and are being investigated.”
