Rhodes student, stabbed, raped

A fourth-year Rhodes University student is receiving counseling after she was allegedly raped by three unknown men at the weekend.

Grahamstown police spokesperson Inspector Milanda Coetzer said the incident happened in the early hours of Saturday morning. “The girl was approached by three men and they forced her to Queen Street where they raped her.

She did cry for help and because she cried for help they stabbed her in the right shoulder. They then raped her several times,” Coetzer added. Police are investigating a case of rape but there had been no arrest yet.

In his announcement to the Rhodes community, university spokesperson Guy White said the student, who received medical and psychological support, was on her way to her digs from the university.

“The survivor had been working at one of the Rhodes computer labs and was returning to her digs,” White added.

About two weeks ago, two female students who were rehearsing on the stage in the drama department at Rhodes were mugged at knife point by two juveniles and were forced to hand over their wallets, cell phones and an iPod.

White said on Monday the campus itself was patrolled throughout the day and night by security guards. He said they have substantially upgraded lighting, introduced panic buttons in key locations and included a safe route which is fully patrolled at all times. He said guards were available to escort staff and students to their cars or campus residences if at any time they felt vulnerable.

Zethu Mtshemla is among the students who had been affected by crime in the past. Earlier this year she was nearly raped by a man who met with her in the street at night.

After a tussle between her and the suspect she managed to escape and called for help. She opened a case of attempted rape but no one was arrested.