For over 10 days an Engcobo woman has been unable to open a case against a man and his wife who allegedly stabbed her with a sharp object on her head, and further bludgeoned her face.
This is because she has been unable to obtain a J88 form from an Elliot Hospital doctor who treated her on Sunday 13 November which would allow her to open a case.
In court, the J88 is the most important written evidence of the medical indications that rape or assault may have taken place.
Ziyanda Manqoma told Algoa FM News that she has been living in fear as the alleged perpetrators were going to get off scot-free.
She says she then visited the Elliot Hospital on Monday, 14 November, to inquire about the J88 she was told the Dr who had sutured her was unavailable until December.
She says she has returned to the hospital to take out her stitches, but the doctor was still unavailable.
Since then she has approached Petros Majola of Khula Community Development Project, an organization that deals with children's rights to assist her.
Majola said he wished that the Health Department took the fight against gender-based violence and femicide seriously.
“If we want to win this battle let us have a committed and vibrant leadership to serve the people of the Eastern Cape.
Majola said the fact that there was no doctor to issue a J88 should not be an issue and that the victim now feels unprotected as there is no case number with the police.
Provincial Health Department spokesperson Yonela Dekeda said the patient's concern was being redressed through the customer care complaints management processes.
"During her first visit, the patient consulted with a sessional doctor and had not submitted the required J88 for the doctor to fill at the time.
She said the hospital has made arrangements for the J88 to be completed.
