The members of South African Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (SASOG) extend their deepest sympathies to the eight women who were brutally attacked, robbed and gang raped in Krugersdorp on Thursday and wish to acknowledge the devastating impact that this incident will have on their lives.

South Africa, named the ‘Rape capital of the world’ by Interpol, saw a sharp increase in the reported number of women and children who were murdered and raped during the first three months of this year.  While accurate rape statistics are difficult to obtain due to many rapes going unreported, during this period the number of rapes increased by 13,7% compared to the same period last year.

President of SASOG, Dr Haynes van der Merwe, says that the Society is extremely concerned about the increasing levels of organised crime, violence and gender-based violence (GBV) in our society and believes that the increased incidences of rape are a symptom of a deeply violent society.

“SASOG is calling on government to urgently adopt a proactive stance to addressing the scourge of GBV and other violent crime.  We also call on the criminal justice system to act swiftly to ensure that justice is served and that the perpetrators face the full might of the law”, he says.

Dr van der Merwe adds that rape and other forms of sexual abuse cause many women to develop post-traumatic stress disorder, which if left untreated can lead to depression, suicide and substance abuse.

“We therefore urge government to ensure that the victims receive all the medical and psychological support that they need”, he says.

While SASOG acknowledges that money cannot erase the trauma and the harm that this brutal assault has caused, the Society wishes to pledge an amount of R50 000 towards medical and other expenses faced by these eight women.