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I asked him: “The guy raped me because he wanted to change me, are you saying that was a right thing to do?” He didn’t answer me but instead he scratched off the report and said, “there is no sign of forceful penetration because the girl had already broken her virginity and the blood stain in the eyes are due to constant rubbing and they might develop further if they are not treated.” Without a medical report I had a weakened case.
The police arrived at 21h00. I opened a case and then went home but could not stay long, my safety was not guaranteed. I got a call around 22h30 to inform me that the guy had been arrested and I’ll be notified in advance about the case and court details.
I wanted to be away from Johannesburg, to ease my mind. I left for Kwa Zulu Natal for a month. When I came back I heard that the guy had been released. I then called the sergeant who was handling the case. He told me the same thing: “they’ll l notify me in advance”.
On the 28 August 2004, I saw my rapist; he approached me and threatened to kill me. I felt cold, betrayed, angry and very scared. I called the sergeant again, but this time I couldn’t get hold of him. I went to the station. They couldn’t find the docket, and said it didn’t exist.
I was failed medically and the justice system proved its inexistence. South Africa is celebrating twelve years of democracy, but with written policies that are not implemented. We are told to co-operate and not take the law into our own hands. Others harm us and get away with it; we have no way getting justice. Will South Africa ever change and accommodate everyone?
Kebarileng Sebetoane
(This story is part of the I Stories series produced by the Gender Links Opinión and Commentary Service for the Sixteen Days of Activism on Gender Violence).
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