The Langa Police Station in Cape Town is not taking the dangers involved with gender-based violence seriously enough. Action Society has been mandated to assist a woman whose attacker received bail while she was still in the hospital recovering from the ordeal he put her through.
The 37-year-old woman’s ex-boyfriend attacked her while intoxicated, hitting her with various objects in the house on 21 May 2023. After locking herself in a room, he broke down the door, suffocated, strangled and hit her in the face for three hours. She managed to escape after he fell asleep. She locked him in the house, went to the police to report the matter, and was admitted to the hospital.
The man was arrested on the same day.
She was heavily medicated during her five-day stay in the hospital and could not take the police’s call. When she returned the call later, she learned that the man had received bail. The police did not oppose it despite her severe injuries.
“I cannot understand why the police did not oppose bail,” she told Action Society. “I have and am proof of what happened. Despite having all that was needed, I was not asked for evidence or documentation.
“The officer was unpleasant when I called. When I heard he was out, I shared my concerns with the officer, but she said they didn’t have vehicles available and would meet me the next week. I am still waiting,” she said.
The case was in the Bishop Lavis Magistrates Court in Cape Town on 22 June 2023, but it was postponed to 19 July 2023 as the investigation is incomplete. The attacker’s legal representative was not present in court.
“This woman now has to live in fear while her attacker is out on bail, and she made a case against him,” said Kaylynn Palm, Action Centre coordinator at Action Society. “The police’s disregard for the safety of victims of GBV is shocking and unacceptable. We will do our utmost to support the woman and see justice.”
To support Action Society’s Action Centre to continue helping victims of gender-based violence, follow this link.
