Durban – The first-year Durban University of Technology (DUT) student, who reported that a staff member had raped her, says she is now more traumatised because the accused was inexplicably released a day after police arrested him.
On Wednesday DUT students witnessed the staffer being arrested and led away.
RELATED: DUT Staffer Accused Raping First-Year Student Arrested – The Bulrushes
The accused, whose name is known to The Bulrushes, had been expected to appear in court on Thursday, but instead, police released him.
The student who can not be named told The Bulrushes that her attacker appears to have convinced the police that they were in a relationship.
“How can I date someone whose name I don’t even know?” she lamented.
“The police are saying they want to investigate the rape complaint further before they take more action.”
Neither the police nor the DUT administration could be reached for comment at the time of publication.
Commenting on the matter, Action Society media liason officer and GBV co-ordinator Kaylynn Palm said: “The attack on the first-year student at DUT is extremely shocking.
“We hope that the case will investigated thoroughly by police – so that there’s justice for the young woman, what was done to her was horrible.
“At the same time, we hope that action will be taken against the staffer – because these crimes should not be tolerated, especially at a place of learning.
“Violence against women and children including rape and sexual assault are at alarming levels in South Africa, and incidents of this nature should be taken seriously.”
