Verulam woman raped after being promised a job opportunity

Durban - A woman has fallen victim to rape, after she was promised an employment opportunity by a man she met.

The 28-year-old woman was raped at gunpoint on Tuesday morning, in the area of Dawncrest in Verulam by a man who promised to arrange employment for her.

Prem Balram, spokesperson of Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) said the quick response team was dispatched this morning following a call from a distressed resident.

“A resident of Dawncrest contacted Reaction Unit South Africa at approximately 10.43am after the female arrived at his residence requesting assistance. Available Reaction Officers were dispatched to the property and on arrival interviewed the victim,” said Balram.

The victim explained to Rusa that she met a man at the entrance of Trenance Park who befriended her. She had told the suspect that she was seeking employment.

The man then informed her that his employer was seeking casual staff but did not confirm the nature of the job.

“The suspect then received a call from an unknown person. During the conversation he informed the caller that he had someone for employment. At that point she believed that the man was a good Samaritan and agreed to accompany him to the place of employment,” he stated.

Balram said that while walking through Dawncrest, the man held the woman at gunpoint and instructed her to enter the bushes, and raped her. He then robbed her of her cell phone, before fleeing the scene on foot.

The victim walked through the dense bush and ended up on Gannet Crescent, where she received assistance from a resident.

Balram said the suspect could not be immediately located.

“Reaction officers searched for the suspect who was dressed in black jeans, grey and white shirt, a white cap and grey sandals. No arrests were made,” he stated.

Provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala confirmed the incident.

“We can confirm an incident that took place this morning, at Dawncrest area in Verulam, where a 28-year-old woman was allegedly raped and robbed of her cellphone,” said Gwala.

She added that charges of rape and robbery were opened by the Verulam SAPS.

ALSO READ:

– Five suspects open fire on police in Verulam

– Off-duty Reaction Unit SA officer killed, security company calls for public assistance with information regarding the incident

– Shebeen owner murdered in his Verulam home

MOST READ:

– Tongaat couple beaten by four suspects during robbery

– Tensions brew over eThekwini city manager post, smaller parties angry over being excluded from the process

– Durban motorist escapes injury after plummeting 50m down an embankment while avoiding a pedestrian

– Man robbed of cash outside Absa’s Pinetown branch

– Taxi accident on M1 Higginson Highway leaves several people injured

THE MERCURY