UN Human Rights chief expresses shock over Bredasdorp rape

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

United Nations human rights chief Navi Pillay has expressed shock at the rape and murder of a South African teenage girl, calling on the authorities to do more to tackle a "pandemic of sexual violence."

Speaking in Geneva, Switzerland yesterday, Pillay said there was a need for very strong signals to be sent to all rapists that sexual violence was absolutely unacceptable, and that they would have to face the consequences of their acts.

Pillay said the entrenched culture of sexual violence which prevails in South Africa, must end.

She was reacting to the rape and mutilation of 17-year-old Anene Booysen, who was found severely injured at a construction site in Bredasdorp last weekend, and later died in hospital.