Khayelitsha family seeks justice after wheelchair user allegedly raped

As rape and sexual assault continue to be serious concerns in the province, a Khayelitsha community and the family of a 43-year-old wheelchair user are calling for bail to be denied to four young men who allegedly raped her in front of her five-year-old son.

The crime statistics were released by Western Cape Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Sizakhele Dyantyi on Tuesday, who said rape and sexual assault had increased by 3.8% and 5.7%, respectively.

Dyantyi said gender-based violence remained a top priority and that the South African Police Service would continue strengthening its response to crimes against women and children.

Among the notable reductions recorded were a 6.3% decrease in contact crime and a 6.7% decrease in murder.

Police in Harare, Khayelitsha, arrested the suspects, aged between 19 and 21, on Friday, September 11. They have since appeared at the Khayelitsha Magistrates’ Court on a charge of rape.

Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala said: “This office confirms that four suspects were arrested. Two of them are 21, while the others are 19 and 20. They will make their first court appearance at the Khayelitsha Magistrates’ Court on Monday, September 14 2026.”

The woman’s relative, who spoke on her behalf and cannot be identified because of the sensitive nature of the case, said her niece had allegedly been attacked at about 9pm on August 27 after the suspects gained access to the house through a window.

She said her niece had been alone at home with her five-year-old son on the night of the incident and that family members often stayed at the premises to ensure their safety.

“She has an older daughter and the five-year-old who lives with her,” said the aunt.

“That night she was alone at home with the child. They came through a window that had cardboard, in front of it, and switched off the light.

“While two of them were allegedly raping her in front of the boy, the others kept watch in case someone saw them.

“Because she is disabled, she was unable to scream for help. She could only speak softly.

The aunt said that, at about 9.30pm, a neighbour heard the victim struggling inside the house and murmuring for help.

“She told the neighbour what had happened who called people in the community.