Constance Msomi shares her traumatic experience of a violent home invasion and the psychological scars that linger.
Image: File
A domestic worker is struggling to cope with the trauma inflicted on her after an unknown suspect allegedly broke into a Durban North home where she worked, raped her, and then ransacked the premises, making off with various valuables, including jewellery.
The 33-year-old woman, identified by the pseudonym Constance Msomi, said she was grateful to have survived the attack by the knife-wielding assailant, who slipped into the property when she opened the driveway gate to receive a food delivery on Friday.
In an exclusive interview with the Daily News, Msomi said the incident had irrevocably altered her life.
“He grabbed me and pushed me into the house. I had no chance to react,” said Msomi, as she struggled to keep her emotions in check.
She said the man threatened her with a knife and forced her into the upper level of her employer’s home, where he raped her.
The man then bound Msomi’s hands before ransacking the home. He made off with various items, including a bicycle, jewellery, cash, and keys to the property.
Msomi said the incident has left her fearful and insecure.
“I am always paranoid; anything that passes by my window scares me.
“Even when someone walks behind me, I become extremely terrified. I am living in fear all the time.”
Given the deep emotional scars the incident has inflicted on her, Msomi questioned whether she would ever regain a sense of normalcy in her life.
She said she received no further support from the police.
Gender-based violence activist Mbuyiselo Botha said that, in many cases, rape victims were left unsupported, as the majority of police stations lack properly skilled personnel to counsel and support survivors.
Botha explained that every station has a victim empowerment centre designed to assist survivors of sexual violence.
He emphasised that the centres must be staffed by properly trained and equipped professionals who possess a deep understanding of rape and its impact.
“Mandatory counselling is a necessity, provided it is conducted by well-trained individuals to prevent the secondary victimisation of survivors.
“While there has been significant high-level work and deliberation regarding these issues, and the availability of resources like rape kits, a major challenge remains in ensuring these improvements effectively filter down to the local station level,” he added.
Dale Nel from crime alert organisation Home Hawks Neighbourhood Watch emphasised the importance of proactive crime prevention measures.
“It’s vital to stay vigilant, especially in public spaces,” Nel said. “Staying in well-lit areas where there are lots of people can deter potential criminals. A lot can happen in isolated environments, even in their simplest forms.”
His comments served as a reminder that safety was an ongoing concern for residents.
On residential security, Nel urged homeowners to critically assess their current security systems.
“Do you have an armed response company? Are your property boundaries secure with a sturdy fence? How well-lit is your property?” he asked.
He also encouraged residents to subscribe to community and security chat groups.
Despite the alarming incident, Nel reassured the community that, during daytime hours, the crime rate in the area remained low, largely due to the presence of various security companies.
“Generally, the area is quiet,” he said. “We’ve encountered the odd fence hopper, but serious offences like armed break-ins and hijackings are not prevalent.”
However, the rape incident has heightened awareness among residents.
“This was a big shock to us,” Nel said.
Robert Netshiunda, spokesperson for SAPS KwaZulu-Natal, did not respond to questions at the time of publication.
DAILY NEWS