A student from Stellenbosch University (SU) plans to open a case of assault after she was allegedly assaulted in broad daylight outside Eikestad Mall.
According to the victim, Alexandra Gounden (20), a third-year BSc in Earth Science student, this happened in the presence of law enforcement officials. Gounden said that she was disappointed by the reaction of the police officers who were nearby during the alleged assault.
“I was walking near the mall when someone hit my back,” claimed Gounden. “I thought someone wanted to take my bag, but he did not go for my bag, did not try my headset. He tried to pull my hoodie back and then I elbowed him, kicked him off me, and then I just went sprinting, and I screamed.”
The incident happened on 7 March, according to Gounden.
A student from Stellenbosch University was allegedly assaulted outside Eikestad Mall while she was walking nearby the mall. This is according to Alexandra Gounden (20), a third-year BSc in Earth Science student. PHOTO: Aubrey Phungo
Gounden claimed that law enforcement officials were nearby during the incident, but that they went into a shop instead of helping her.
“The owner of the spaza shop nearby even came outside, asked them why they [were] worried about getting food instead of helping me,” claimed Gounden. “They responded that there was nothing they could do, and they went back to getting lunch.”
‘Officials are committed’
“If a law enforcement officer was involved, we encourage the individual affected to contact us directly so that we can investigate the matter,” said Stuart Grobbelaar, communications manager at Stellenbosch Municipality, in correspondence with SMF News.
“Our law enforcement officials are committed to assisting the public and work closely with SAPS [South African Police Service] to ensure the safety of our community, with arrests of perpetrators occurring almost daily,” said Grobbelaar.
Meanwhile, the victim indicated that she would open an assault case even though she did not sustain long-term injuries.
A student from Stellenbosch University told SMF News that she is planning to open a case of assault at Stellenbosch police station after being allegedly assaulted near Eikestad Mall. PHOTO: Aubrey Phungo
“I have got pain in my back, my shoulders, my knees, my wrists, but it was not on the ER transcripts because I was in shock,” she said.
Since the incident had not been reported by the time of publication, Captain Nathalie Martin, communications officer at Stellenbosch SAPS, indicated that she could not provide information on the matter.
“This office can add that if a complainant is not satisfied with the service received from SAPS, a formal service delivery complaint can be laid by the complainant at the police station,” said Martin. “This complaint will then be investigated.”
The Stellenbosch central business district near Eikestad Mall where police often patrol with marked and unmarked vehicles, according to Captain Nathalie Martin, communications officer at Stellenbosch South African Police Service (SAPS). PHOTO: Aubrey Phungo