Johannesburg - Rape victim Zoleka Mpanza on Thursday lauded the Thuthuzela Care Centres for carrying her through the most traumatic period of her life - a 2010 housebreaking incident that saw her being raped.
She was left outraged and traumatised but speaking out, she said, helped her to heal.
"It's important to speak out about rape because that will bring you healing. I was fortunate to have been brought to the Thuthuzela Centre by the SAPS on the night I was raped," said Mpanza.
The Thuthuzela Care Centres are facilities that have been introduced as a critical part of South Africa's anti-rape strategy and they operate in public hospitals in communities with high incidences of rape.
They are also linked to the recently introduced Sexual Offences Courts.
It was at a centre in Thembisa, Ekurhuleni, that Mpanza said she found refuge.
"I received counselling. I had an immediate consultation with the doctor who made sure I was comfortable, and the nurses explained the importance of taking the HIV/Aids, pregnancy and STI tests."
Speaking at a function organised by the Justice cluster on Thursday, Mpanza encouraged women and children who have had to deal with rape to not give up and to fight for justice.
"In October 2015, the perpetrators received a hefty sentence. Although the case was strenuous and draining, I refused to give up," she said.
There are more than 70 people who report their cases to the Thembisa Thuthuzela Centre every month, which justifies the importance of fighting against the scourge of sexual violence.
The director of legal services for the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, Tshilidzi Ramathikithi, said that communities have to be engaged in talks about sexual violence.
"In the new financial year, Thembisa will have a court that is dedicated solely to sexual violence offences. The court will be equipped with the right services and the right personnel," Ramathikithi said.
He said that the new legislation and policies will ensure that victims are protected at all times.
"Our partnership with the NPA (National Prosecuting Authority) and Thuthuzela Care Centres will ensure that even children that cannot explain rape get justice in court."
NPA spokeswoman Phindi Louw, said they want to raise awareness on the basic rights of sexual violence survivors.
"We want to create awareness, because people don't understand the amount of help they can get from reporting their rape case at any Thuthuzela Centre within 72 hours," Louw pointed out.
*Mpanza consented to being identified
The Star