A POLICE officer sexually assaulting a woman at a Pietermaritzburg police station is a huge setback in the fight against gender-based violence and begs the question: where women can take refuge when they are attacked,
Those were the lingering thoughts of Sinikiwe Biyela, executive director of Lifeline, a women’s advocacy group, following the widespread shock and outrage that emerged since the incident at the Loop Street police station, which is metres away from the KwaZulu-Natal legislature.
It has resulted in calls for tough sanction against the officer who made a brief appearance at the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court this week, and granted R5 000 bail.
Biyela emphasised that police stations are meant to be places of safety, especially for women.
She said her organisation had continued to provide support, including counselling, to the survivor, whom she described as being “understandably scared”.
Biyela said while the accused had undertaken to not interfere with the case investigations or to make contact with the victim, as part of his bail conditions, it was little comfort as he would be in the Cato Ridge area.
“The distance between Pietermaritzburg and Cato Ridge is just a few minutes’ drive. Therefore, one understands why the survivor is feeling unsafe.”
Worrying for Biyela was that a similar incident had been reported at the Mountain Rise police station, Pietermaritzburg, last year.
“A woman was inside a cell at the station when she was raped. So when Pietermaritzburg is referred to as a rape capital, one understands the basis of this sentiment.
“It is becoming increasingly unsafe for women, especially in Pietermaritzburg, to seek help at the police stations because they do not know what will happen to them,” Biyela lamented.
She said they hoped for tough sanctions against the accused which would indicate that the police were not above the law.
Her organisation planned to monitor proceedings closely to also ensure that the case docket does not go missing, as has happened in some instances, Biyela said.
The DA Women’s Network also condemned the incident. “Disappointingly, this is happening during Women’s Month where they should be celebrated. She has fallen victim at the hands of the very same people who are supposed to protect her, in a province that is dubbed the ‘rape papital’ of the country.
“We believe the protection of victims must be prioritised,” said the network’s chairperson, Remona Mckenzie.
While Mckenzie was disappointed that bail was granted, she said they welcomed reports that IPID was probing the matter.
“We are hoping for a speedy investigation that will ensure the perpetrator is jailed, should he be found guilty,” said Mckenzie, who also indicated that they would be writing to the KZN Police Commissioner to call for prompt action on the matter.
The case was adjourned to October 11 for further investigations.
Sunday Tribune