A Mitchells Plain family is praying for the recovery of a teenage meisie who was found half-naked, raped and left for dead at the beach at the weekend.
The 14-year-old girl’s throat was cut and a spokesman for the family, Shahiem van Nelson, says doctors believe that there is a 60% chance that she will be able to speak again.
He says the teen was last seen by her family between 4.30pm and 5pm on Saturday and they still don’t know what happened to her or who attacked her.
“She went to help out at a shop in Lentegeur and her two friends say they left her near a garage in Eisleben Road and that is quite a distance from the shop,” explains Shahiem.
“The next time she was seen (on Sunday morning), she had a deep neck wound, she had been brutally raped.
“We hope that she will be able to speak again because the doctors don’t know how badly her vocal chords were damaged.”
He adds that the victim’s relatives have been left shaken.
“Seeing her in that state has really left them traumatised. We have sought help from Lentegeur victim support to counsel them,” says Shahiem.
“We are hoping with time they will be better and the vigil (on Sunday night) was to show support for her and the family.”
On Sunday night, the outraged New Woodlands community went to the Bamboo Road shop in Lentegeur and accused the shopkeeper of the attack. Some residents looted the winkel.
The homeowner, 53, who rents out the premises, tells the Daily Voice: “I called the police who took the man away and he did not return to the shop yesterday afternoon. I don’t know if he has been arrested for the crime or not.”
COMMUNITY OUTRAGE: New Woodlands residents held night vigil to support family. Video: Mandilakhe Tshwete
Strandfontein CPF chairperson Sandy Schuter-Flowers says the girl was found in Lucannon Drive on Sunday morning.
Police spokesman Joseph Swartbooi says that they found the 14-year-old victim on the side of the road half naked with stab wounds to her body.
“Strandfontein police are investigating cases of attempted murder and rape. The suspects who fled the scene, are yet to be arrested.”
Sandy warns people not to park in secluded areas along the coast and to report any suspicious activity.
“The Strandfontein Crime fighters patrol together with Law Enforcement and SAPS very regularly on the coastal area, 9 Miles and Strandfontein Pavilion,” she says.
“We would like to caution people that it is NOT safe, especially to park off in the secluded dark corners on Lucannon Drive.”