A community is in shock and a local clinic has been shuttered following a horrific incident in which two female security guards were abducted, raped, and shot at the Xhwili Clinic in Bhityi, near Qunu, this past weekend.
The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday night, resulted in the death of a 28-year-old officer and left her 48-year-old colleague in critical condition.
According to police and a witness account, the two women were taken by unknown assailants from behind the clinic at approximately 11:50 PM. They were blindfolded, abducted, and led to a nearby open field.
It was in this field that the assailants raped the two guards before shooting them.
Police responding to the scene discovered the 28-year-old victim, who was stripped naked and had sustained two bullet wounds to her head. She was declared dead at the scene.
Her 48-year-old colleague was transported to a nearby police station for assistance and remains hospitalized in critical condition.
A troubling detail to emerge from the investigation is the reported presence of a male security officer at the scene when the attack transpired. It is alleged that this officer failed to report the incident immediately, only informing officials from the clinic and the security company the following morning. This delay has raised concerns about his potential involvement, though police have confirmed that no arrests have been made in the case.
The male officer has since been relieved of his duties pending the outcome of the investigations.
The South African Police Service has opened a case for murder, attempted murder, and rape at the Bhityi police station.
The brutal nature of the crime has cast a pall over the community and raised serious questions about safety, even for those tasked with protecting public facilities. In the wake of the attack, the Xhwili Clinic has been closed, with all services suspended.
Despite the fear, other female security officers have reportedly remained deployed at the clinic, with colleagues expressing a primary desire for justice to be served for the victims.
The incident has highlighted ongoing concerns about violent crime and gender-based violence in the Eastern Cape region, sparking renewed calls for justice and improved safety measures.
