EASTERN CAPE. — Bityi police opened a case of kidnapping and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm on Monday after a 35-year-old woman from Mhaga in Sikhobeni was allegedly abducted and assaulted by a known suspect. A video of the incident has circulated on social media and shows the suspect assaulting the bound woman.
Police are aware of the video and it forms part of the investigation. Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana, police spokesperson, says no arrest has been made so far and the suspect, who is known to police, is on the run. Officers from Bityi police are searching for him. Police are appealing to the public not to further circulate the video, as it could expose the victim to secondary victimisation.
Anyone with relevant information about the suspect's whereabouts is asked to contact police. Police also warn against any form of vigilante justice and say the community must allow the courts to take their course while the investigation continues.
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
