If ever we needed a reminder of just how violent a society we live in this week should do the trick, news breaking of another female UCT student being raped.

After a number of attacks, the most recent of which was towards the end of January, this latest horror story has broken today.

The rape took place Tuesday evening, although the university was only made aware of the attack late last night. Here’s News24:

The university said it could not be certain, but it seemed as though the attack was similar to three previous attacks near Rhodes Memorial, and that the assailant might also be the same person.

The 28-year-old student was running along the bicycle path near the Princess Anne Drive bridge in Newlands when a man threatened her with a knife, Kruger said.

He severely assaulted her and forced her into the bushes, towards the Rhodes Memorial area.

“The man held her captive for some hours and raped her. The man later forced her to walk to a garage, where she was able to break free from the attacker and was assisted by staff to phone the South African Police Services for help.”

She was admitted to hospital.

The police are investigating the matter, with spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Andre Traut saying she had been held captive in an isolated area before making her escape.

A reminder that THIS is the man the SAPS have put forward as a suspect:

This below from UCT spokesperson Gerda Kruger on TimesLive:

“We feel a deep sense of pain for any person who endures such an assault and violation‚ and for their family. It is a very sad reality that sexual violence‚ assault and other crimes against women and children are rife. The cases affecting our students are deeply traumatising…‚” she said…

“We spend millions of rand on security every year‚ yet our students live in a society where they can be attacked and brutalised when out running on a busy road. This is tragic and deeply upsetting.

“We firmly hold the view that every student and staff member should be able to move without restriction and go where they please. Society should be that safe.

Yet‚ in the light of the fact that these assaults are happening and the violence of the assault seems to be increasing‚ we again ask all students and staff (and women in particular) to avoid walking or running alone at all cost.

It is important to avoid areas where you may be isolated or vulnerable to attack. Please think about your daily route and make arrangements beforehand so that you are walking or running in groups‚ particularly in the late afternoon‚ early evening or after dark.”

What a sad state of affairs when we must feel afraid to jog through Tokai forest or through Newlands.

[sources:news24,timeslive]