Police have closed their investigation into the rape of a student at Johannesburg’s Chris Hani-Baragwanath hospital because they do not have enough information to continue, a spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Confirming a report in the Star, Superintendent Lungelo Dlamini said: ”We don’t know where the scene of the crime is and don’t have witnesses or physical evidence.”
The victim had not pointed out exactly where the rape took place so police could not collect evidence, and the police were not given the results of her medical examination.
”We can’t force her to do things if she does not want to and so we are going to close the case,” said Dlamini.
The police depended on the victim for this information and in this case the available information was insufficient.
The case could be reopened if new information was provided, he added.
The student was attacked in the hospital grounds on July 30 while on her way to the blood bank.
She laid charges and made a statement to the police on August 3.
The hospital responded to staffers’ concerns by tightening security, with the installation of more lights in the corridors, access control and an increase in security patrols.
Commenting on the police’s decision, hospital spokesperson Hester van den Heever said: ”It is her [the victim’s] prerogative to do what she wants to do.”
The hospital was doing its best to ensure safety by continuing with its plans to tighten up security around the hospital. — Sapa