Health department probes Motherwell clinic after teen rape victim dies at police station

The community of Motherwell in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape are preparing to bury 15-year-old Zenizole Vena on Saturday.

This comes as the clinic in NU11 is expected to open its doors on Monday after being shut down by angry community members. The clinic has been at the centre of an investigation by the provincial Department of Health following Zenizole’s death on 21 September after being gang raped.

It is understood that Zenizole was abducted on 17 September on her way to school in Malabar. She spent four days being drugged and raped by her captors.

Police spokesperson, Priscilla Naidu, said Zenizole was found in the streets on 21 September by a woman who assisted her. She said reports state that Zenizole appeared to be sick and was crying. “It is further alleged that she was raped by two males known to her. The woman took her to the clinic who then referred them to the [Motherwell] police station.”

“The teenager was crying and appeared to be having an epileptic seizure and was vomiting. An ambulance was immediately called to attend to her at the station. She suffered further epileptic seizures. When the ambulance arrived, she had already passed away,” said Naidu.

The news of the teenager’s ordeal sparked outrage in the community as her family questioned why the clinic had allegedly referred her to the police rather than keeping her there for observations.