THE aunt of the 22-year-old woman who was abducted and raped in Goodwood last week says it was the second time someone attempted to abuse her niece the girl.
On 17 July, the woman, who has Down Syndrome, was reported missing after playing at a nearby park when she was allegedly lured away by a 49-year-old man who has since been arrested.
The alleged perpetrator took the victim to a guesthouse where rooms are rented out by the hour in Wellington Road, where it is believed that he raped her.
According to the aunt, the ordeal has left the family devastated.
“I have been taking care of my niece since she was seven years old and for years I have been trying to avoid this,” she explained.
“Her mother passed away and she lived with her father in Transkei where a neighbour also attempted to rape her. Thankfully her father came back just in time from church and found them locked in the room."
The aunt explains that on 17 July she was at work, but rushed home when she received the news that her niece was missing.
“She was playing at the park with her two cousins and there was a guy who was gyming at the park and he took her promising to buy her cold drink and chips,” she explained.
“She usually sits alone on one side while the cousins are playing but when they looked again, she and the guy were missing. That was when they ran home and said she was gone. It was just bad luck because they don’t always play at the park.
“We alerted the police and they began a manhunt. While I was at the police station they found the suspect and brought him to the police station but he looked so innocent and decent like someone you would never expect would do something like this.
The aunt said that her niece has been complaining about stomach pains, but was taken to the hospital to see a doctor where she got medication.
“Although she is 22 years old, her mind is like a seven year old child. I don’t understand how a grown man can do something like that to her knowing she is vulnerable, he is supposed to find himself a girlfriend,” she added.
“I am happy that he has been found because he is a danger and the fact that he goes to parks where children play means that he is preying on them.”
Abdallah Sydney Chairperson of the Goodwood Community Police Forum said: “The Goodwood Community Police Forum (CPF) is increasingly concerned about the safety and well-being of our vulnerable residents, especially individuals with special needs, in light of the growing number of lodges and short-term accommodations springing up across our area.
“We urge the relevant authorities to conduct thorough assessments of new and existing lodges to ensure compliance with legal, safety, and zoning regulations.”