Schalk's sister talks about rape

2008-05-15 14:38

Cape Town - A statement has been released to the media by the family of Springbok rugby player Schalk Burger, in which his sister confirmed that she was the medical student who was kidnapped from the Tygerberg campus and assaulted and raped, a week ago.

The statement reads:

To fall victim to brutal abduction and rape is one of the most traumatic experiences that any woman can live through. You do, however, have a choice in how you respond to this reality.

This is the conviction of René Burger, little more than a week after she herself was kidnapped by three men from the Tygerberg Campus of the University of the Western Cape.

She was abducted on Monday May 5, but managed to escape within hours.

"You stop being a victim when you choose not to allow something like this to destroy your dignity and self-worth, your trust in others, hope in the future or commitment to the country you love."

"I hold no grudge or bitterness but choose to turn this terrible thing that happened to me into something positive," says the twenty-year-old student.

Her family has expressed their relief about having her home safe, and wishes to thank friends and strangers who have shown solidarity and support during this challenging time.

The Burger family has requested the media to respect their privacy and to allow the criminal justice process to serve Burger's interests as best as possible. No interviews will be granted nor can further information be supplied at this stage.

It was reported earlier that the 20-year-old medical student escaped from three armed men who raped her after kidnapping her. She is said to have been accosted by the three armed with knives at the hospital's parking lot.

The armed men forced her back into her car and drove to the Klipheuwel area. At an empty house she was assaulted, beaten, cut with knives and raped. She is said to have sneaked out when her attackers went outside to investigate a noise.

Police were investigating a case of rape and hijacking. Anyone with information should call investigating officer inspector Ricardo McCree on 021 592 7092.

A big reward has also been offered for anyone with information which would lead to the arrest and conviction of the suspect whose identikit has been made public.

- Beeld