A civil society organisation is calling for staff at a state clinic in Motherwell in Gqeberha to be held accountable for the death of a teen rape victim who was allegedly turned from the facility.
The subsequent death of 15-year-old Zenizole Vena at a police station, apparently following an epileptic fit, has caused a public outcry after it was reported that clinic staff told her to first report the alleged rape to SAPS before rendering assistance.
The Eastern Cape Health Department has since closed the clinic temporarily following community protests while a SAPS probe is also underway.
The chairperson of SANAC Civil Society Forum's Women's Sector, Silungile Nntambo, said it is totally unacceptable that there are policies in place for survivors of violence and rape, but service providers continuously defy them.
"There is an urgent need to capacitate healthcare workers and police on the urgency of service provision for survivors of violence and rape as they know exactly what is urgent in terms of their health and wellness after such incidents," she said.
She added that it is crucial that those responsible for disservice to Vena, and all other facilities where such violations occur, be held accountable for their actions, as a matter of urgency.
Sanja Bornman, a Gender Law & Policy Specialist described what happened to Vena as shameful, and must be met with the harshest disciplinary sanction for those responsible.
"There is no law that requires a rape victim, or any victim of crime, to go to the police before they can get medical attention. Reports in the press that a clinic staff member said they 'don't deal with rape cases are a serious cause for alarm," she said.
Bornman said it makes a mockery of the legal framework on gender-based violence and the National Strategic Plan on GBVF.
