A 22-year-old Malamulele woman is in severe pain after she was brutally attacked and raped last Wednesday.

She and a friend were heading to a clinic at Madonsi village when the incident took place.

According to her, they met an unknown man in a bushy stretch between Greenfarm and Madonsi. "We met this man and we did not suspect anything. He just waited for the cars that were on the road to pass before pouncing on us. He covered his face with a hat and produced a knife, while demanding phones and cash,” she added.

She said they tried to run away, but he caught up with her and forced her into the bushes. Her friend was shouting for help, but no one came to help them.

She stated that during the scuffle, the man stabbed her hands with the knife as she was trying to stop the blows. The man then forced her into the bushes where he undressed her and tried to rape her. As she was menstruating, he allegedly penetrated her anally.

She mentioned that after the attack, the man laughed and told her that he would kill her if she ever reported the matter to the police. He also stated that the was not alone and had several other friends that would help him.

“I prayed God to save my life, and later the man accompanied me to the road and let me go,” she said.

The woman is blaming the police for having not assisted her. “I could see the police, who were not far from me, but could not do anything as I was at the mercy of my captor. They had dogs and did not release them. If they had done so, they would have caught up with the criminal," she said.

After her ordeal, she went to Malamulele hospital, where she was treated. She now feels let down as she says no one in the community came to support her, except her family, who have been supportive.

The spokesperson for the Limpopo police, Lt Col Ronél Otto, confirmed the case and said a case of rape had been opened. No suspect had been arrested yet, she added.

Malamulele police spokesperson W/O Alson Mapindani said the police had combed the area. “It could be true that there was a time when she saw the police and they could not see her, as her captor kept her hidden from the police and the community,” said Mapindani.