Speaker, the ACDP is shocked and outraged by reports of the rape of a doctor at the Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein. What is even more shocking is that a 16-year-old boy took part in the rape with two other men, aged 24 and 29. The report says the doctor was on duty when she was overpowered by three men in a ward at the hospital early on Saturday morning. One of the men allegedly hit her over the head with a brick and then the three men gang-raped her while she was unconscious.
In 2007, a Wits medical student was raped at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto while walking to the facility's blood bank. In May this year, a female paramedic was gang-raped by three armed men when she and her colleague went to rescue an injured toddler in Durban Deep in Johannesburg.
The violent rape of women in our country is a major concern for the ACDP and it demands government's urgent intervention. It is government's responsibility to ensure that citizens are safe from criminals, particularly when they are in their homes and at work.
The ACDP wishes the traumatised and violated doctor at the Pelonomi Hospital a speedy recovery and commends her for her commitment to saving lives. Thank you.