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By Odwa Mkentane 
4h ago
Cape Town – A 20-year-old woman at a Covid-19 quarantine facility near Mossel Bay was removed from the site after she was allegedly raped by a cleaner.
The 27-year-old suspect was arrested on Friday after he allegedly raped the woman in her room, police spokesman Christopher Spies said.
The incident was reported to the facility’s medical staff, who alerted the police.
“The Mossel Bay Family Violence, Child Protection and Sex Crimes Unit (FCS) is investigating a case of rape following an incident at a quarantine site near Mossel Bay on Friday, September 11 at around 1:00 pm.
“It is alleged that the 20-year-old victim was in her room when the suspect entered and raped her. This matter was subsequently reported to the facility’s medical staff, who alerted the police.
“The investigation led to the arrest of a suspect 27 years later. The suspect is still in custody and will appear in Mossel Bay Magistrates Court on Monday (today). He is facing a rape charge, ”Spies said.
Neither Prime Minister Alan Winde nor the Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo responded to questions about the incident and referred the Cape Times to the provincial Department of Transportation and Public Works.
This despite the department’s spokesman, Jandré Bakker, saying that the Health Department had removed the woman from the site to a different location.
“The quarantine and isolation facilities are under the custody of the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW). The site is not owned by DTPW.
“Facilities managers are appointed to manage the facilities on behalf of DTPW. Some of the functions include security and cleaning services. DTPW received a report of an alleged sexual assault at its Mossel Bay isolation and quarantine facility.
“DTPW takes these allegations very seriously and we are giving our full support to the investigation. The suspect, an employee of the designated cleaning company, has been detained by the South African Police Service.
“The alleged victim has been transferred from the place by the Department of Health to a different place and is receiving the necessary support,” Bakker said.
South African Human Rights Commission Commissioner Chris Nissen said: “The person has Covid-19. That only endangers the life of the victim and you rape that person again. That is very foolish behavior. “
The matter must run its course and the perpetrator must face a prison sentence, he said. “I am happy that the provincial government has taken action and responded quickly regarding the incident. The dignity of the victim has been destroyed and tarnished and that cannot be neglected.
“While the government is busy fighting Covid-19, then this person sees an opportunity to rape a Covid-19 patient and by doing so this person is increasing the number of Covid-19 infections in the province and also reducing the dignity of women. Now she is a threat in society, ”Nissen said.
Earlier this year, activists were outraged when an 18-year-old woman was allegedly raped by a 36-year-old man at the controversial temporary shelter set up by the City for the homeless at a sports field in Strandfontein. The defendant was released on bail of R2,000.
On the recent incident, Ilitha Labantu spokesperson Siya Monakali said: “It is sad that even in times of crisis perpetrators of violence against women and children know no borders. As we fight the Covid-19 pandemic, we continue to suffer the consequences of a violent society. We hope that the quarantine facilities will do everything in their power to ensure the safety of vulnerable people, especially women. “
Cape times
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