Women should avoid high risk places that could increase their vulnerability such as shebeens and pubs since many perpetrators of sexual violence target women who were either drunk or who asked for lifts from strangers, North West Premier Thandi Modise appealed in condemning the rape of a 25-year- old woman from Hartbeesfontein on Wednesday.

“The rape of the woman at a cemetery is a deplorable act that was committed by heartless individuals who have no conscience. We call on police not to leave any stone unturned until those responsible are removed from society and for the community to assist police in their investigations,” stressed Premier Modise.

In calling for united action against the scourge of rape which has victimised close to 50 women in the province since the start of the festive season, Modise said that young girls and women could assist reduce incidents by carefully considering those that they choose to go out with at night and the places they go to for entertainment given that not even infants are safe from sexual violence.

According to police, the young woman was raped twice at Tigane cemetery by two men around 00:30 on Christmas eve.”It is alleged that the victim was with [her] boyfriend on their way to the victim’s home when they were confronted by two suspects wearing balaclavas,” said Captain Pelonomi Makau.The suspects are alleged to have threatened them with an unknown sharp object.The couple attempted to run away from the men but then the woman fell. She was grabbed by the men who took her to the cemetery and took turns raping her.”They took her cell phone before they fled the scene,” said Makau.”After this ordeal, the victim managed to report the incident to the police station.”She was later taken to the hospital. Police were searching for the men.