Cape Town - Victim Maggie Ndlovu, who was allegedly raped by a South African National Defence Force (SANDF) officer, said she feels further victimised by the justice system after she faced her alleged perpetrator in Wynberg Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
This as Womens Rights Defenders activist group called for the suspension of accused.
The 40-year-old suspect, who faces two counts of rape, is currently out on bail and understood to still be in the employ of the SANDF.
Visibly shaken after the brief court appearance, Ndlovu said she was “triggered again”.
“At this moment I am struggling to describe the way I feel. I have mixed emotions but when he went to stand (in the accused dock) ... the man is very arrogant. Even when the magistrate had suggested a date for the next appearance, he had the guts to say he is not okay with that date and asked for an alternative date that suits him.
“I feel he is being protected by the state. I don’t know why he has to get special treatment and his feelings are considered more than mine, as the victim. I am just shattered at this moment,” said Ndlovu.
During court proceedings, it was submitted that Ndlovu had not attended a consultation session to obtain further information, however Ndlovu denied she was informed.
“It’s a lie. I never had an investigating officer inform me of a previous consultation date. The matter was handed over to a new investigating officer and he asked me how the consultation had gone with the senior prosecutor which according to him had to have taken place a day before I met him.
“I was not informed of such a date or consultation. I feel like I am suffering secondary victimisation by the system. It feels as if I am the one violating him and he remains protected,” said Ndlovu.
Human Rights Defenders spokesperson, Caroline Peters, said: “We find it unacceptable that a man accused of rape is allowed to continue to actively hold a position in an institution meant to guard and protect all people in our country.
“South Africa has some of the best legislation in the world to address violence against women and Gender Based Violence, but it is not being adequately and uniformly implemented. We call on the SANDF to affirm its commitment to end violence against women by applying consistent processes across its navy bases,” said Peters.
The suspect is expected to return to court on November 5 while further consultation takes place.
The SANDF did not respond to questions by deadline.
Previously, SA Navy spokesperson Commander Rachel Dulamo said the officer would not yet face disciplinary action, as they await the outcome of the Saps investigation and court case.
Cape Times