Johannesburg – “It was a frightening experience. Absolutely terrible. I do not understand how anyone can be expected to remain calm in such circumstances.”

This is how the 46-year-old woman, who was hijacked and raped while she was travelling with her husband and niece near the Grasmere tollgate on the N1 highway on March 31, described last week’s identity parade.

She and the 14-year-old girl had to identify their attackers and rapists during an identity parade at Vereeniging prison ten days ago. They did not recognise any of the men.

The woman from Randburg, who may no be named, said on Thursday that her lawyer was not allowed to be present. She said authorities initially refused that the 14-year-old girl’s mother accompany the child to support her.

“Their (the suspects’) lawyers were admitted, but we were alone. We have never been in such a place where the doors are locked in front of and behind you.”

She said the identity parade took place in “very intimidating” circumstances.

“There is so little between you and them. I could simply not identify one of them. I am very disappointed because it feels as if I failed myself.”

A police spokesperson said on Thursday that the legal representatives of the suspects and victims are allowed at the identity parade, but they may not interfere with the selection.

The woman, her 56-year-old husband and the girl were apparently ambushed at about 05:00. They were then hijacked and the woman and the girl were raped.

Police arrested three suspects, but one of them was released two days after the identity parade. Jacob Gasper, 30, from Lenasia South and Daniel Tekerra, 27, from Ennerdale have to appear in court again on May 20.

Connie Nel, spokesperson for the National Roads Agency, said warning signs would soon be erected near the Grasmere tollgate. She said there are more patrols now and police officers man two prefab rooms along the road 24 hours a day.

Edited by Jannie Momberg

Source: News24.Com
URL: http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/New…/p>