CAPE TOWN – The University of Cape Town (UCT) says it's devastated to learn of yet another attack and rape of a student near the Rhodes Memorial.
The brutal rape occurred on Tuesday, 8 March 2016.
The university says while it may not be certain, the latest attack bears similarities to three previous attacks which occurred near the Rhodes Memorial.
It goes on to speculate that the assailant may be the same person involved in the other cases.
A 28-year-old student was attacked while jogging in Newlands Forest.
UCT Vice Chancellor Max Price says they are working closely with authorities to bring the perpetrator to book.
“We have put more security around, but this is off the campus and it happens along the mountain side, in the bushes and obviously when we put security in one place the rapist or the rapists move to another place.”
The university says the latest attack is the fifth on a student and the fourth rape in the vicinity of Rhodes Memorial since December.
In the latest attack, the student was accosted at the forest, raped and held captive for more than 24 hours in an isolated area before she escaped last night.
Her attacker then allegedly forced her to walk to the nearest garage, where she managed to break free and call the police.
UCT says it will continue to work closely with the South African Police Service.
It further says it feels a “deep sense of responsibility” towards students and staff and it feels a deep sense of pain for any person who endures such an assault and violation, and for their family.
The woman is recovering in hospital.
(Edited by Masechaba Sefularo)