Durban — The KwaZulu-Natal department of health has reported that a doctor was implicated in an alleged rape incident at a local hospital last month.
In a statement issued on Monday afternoon, the department said it noted with grave concern the rape allegations levelled against a doctor at Port Shepstone Hospital.
“What is of serious concern is that the incident is alleged to have taken place within a health facility, during Women’s Month, and against the backdrop of ongoing efforts to address gender-based violence ravaging our country,” the department said.
“Noting that this is a criminal matter, which falls under the ambit of the competent law enforcement authorities, the department is unable to comment further, suffice to mention that the alleged perpetrator has been served with a letter of suspension while in a correctional facility.”
When delivering the quarter one crime statistics for 2022/23, Police Minister Bheki Cele said 9 516 rape cases were opened with the SAPS between April and June 2022. This is nearly 500 fewer rape cases reported, compared to the same period last year.
Cele said while the number of rape cases declined in all provinces, North West and the Northern Cape were the only provinces to report increases in this crime category.
He said 3 780 of the rape incidents took place in the homes of the rapists or homes of the victims, and 1 546 people were raped in public places such as streets, parks and beaches.
Cele added that public transportation such as buses, taxis and trains were the third most likely places of occurrence for rape attacks.
Daily News