Premier calls for swift arrest in rape of female security officers

KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has called on law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate and swiftly bring to justice the perpetrators involved in the attack and rape of female security officers at the Transport Department offices in Durban.

According to reports, about eight armed criminals entered the Department of Transport offices at Merebank in eThekwini by scaling the wall and took hostage every six security guards on duty, bound them with their own shoelaces and assaulted them at gunpoint. 

In another room, three female officers were raped at gunpoint in full view of their colleagues. The criminals also stole equipment belonging to the Department of Transport which is used for road maintenance.

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government has strongly condemned the sexual attack of the three female security officers.

“We would like to offer our support to the victims of this senseless and barbaric act of criminality and violation of women’s dignity. The latest sexual attacks and rape of these three women is an embarrassment and an indication that some men finish not belong in our society and should be stripped of every the freedoms set aside for normal people,” Dube-Ncube said.

She said it was unfortunate that the attack comes at a time when the province should be observing the 16 Days of Activism campaign. 

“This incident comes as the country is thick in the battle against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) having launched the annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Kids campaign only on Saturday. 

“We are deeply saddened that these barbaric and animalistic attacks on women still persist. The men who commit these crimes against their sisters and mothers, in every honesty are less than human, and should be condemned to long-term imprisonment without the option of a parole,” Dube-Ncube said.

The Premier described the incident as a heinous act that has shaken the province to its core. 

“We also urge communities to arrive together in solidarity and support for gender-based violence survivors, fostering an environment where survivors feel safe to report such crimes and seek the assist they need,” the Premier said. 

The provincial government has assigned psycho-social support to the victims and affected staff, as well as the necessary protection to support the victims. 

The Premier commended the Department of Transport for speedily visiting the site and attending to the staff traumatised by the incident. – SAnews.gov.za