A 17-year-old woman from Mafakatini outside Pietermaritzburg is calling for the arrest of a taxi driver who allegedly raped her last month. It is alleged that she was raped inside a taxi on her way home from town.
Her family is also concerned over the shocking reaction from some community members, including women, who have voiced support for the alleged rapist.
Her mother, who cannot be named to protect her identity, is appealing for a new investigating officer for the case to move forward.
“It’s very sad. The majority of community members [are] not supporting us. Even taxi drivers are on the side of the perpetrator. I am now receiving calls from strangers. Some people are claiming that my child is lying. The investigating officer is not giving us updates on the case. The police officer did not even tell us why the accused has been released,” says the mother.
Concerns around communities that support alleged rapists before courts rule on the matter
KwaZulu-Natal police have confirmed the arrest of the alleged perpetrator.
They say he has already appeared in court and is currently out on bail.
SABC News special focus on GBV, Thursday 2 September
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