Shocking Attitudes To Rape In South Africa
Sky News has carried out a survey of men's attitudes towards rape in South Africa. Their answers are both candid and shocking.
Sky News says it went to a township near Johannesburg to do our own impromptu survey asking men whether they had ever forced a woman to have sex.
While unscientific, the idea was to get a snapshot of men's views on women.
The survey was commissioned with a small team of researchers who asked a select number of questions.
In total, 28 out of the 38 that answered said they had raped a woman, and many even explained how and why.
Their answers are extraordinarily candid and shocking.
The most graphic content has been removed but those likely to be offended by such material should not read on.
Here are their responses:
Respondent number one - aged 34
Q: Did you have sex with a woman who didn't want to?
A: Yes
Q: When was it?
A: 2011
Q: Would you call it rape?
A: Yes
Q: How many times have you raped someone?
A: Twice
Q: How did it happen?
A: We were having some beers in a tavern and I spent (money on) the lady but when (the) time arrived (to) go she refused. I had to use manpower to take her with me. We never got to my place so I decided to rape her. The second time it was the same woman again, we met at a shebeen and we had beers together, when she decided to leave the place I escorted her and along the way I raped her.
Q: Did she report the case?
A: No.
Q: Do you know why?
A: She told me that though I raped her what she has I now also have it.
Q: What did she mean by that?
A: She meant she was HIV positive.
Respondent number two - aged 29
Q: Have you ever had sex with a woman against her will?
A: Yes
Q: When was it?
A: 2010
Q: How many were you?
A: Four
Q: Was it a gang rape?
A: Yes. Only the two slept with her.
Q: How old was she then?
A: 16
Q: Did she (report) the case (to police) after the rape?
A: Her parents influenced her to (do so).
Q: Did you get arrested for the crime?
A: Yes.
Q: Were you convicted of it?
A: (I was given) five years placed on suspension.
Q: Do you know someone who might have done the same (thing)?
A: Yes.
Respondent number three - aged 38
Q: Have you ever had sex with a woman who didn't want to?
A: Yes
Q: How did it happen?
A: I always wanted the woman but because (I) am ugly and I knew that if I (tried) to (proposition) her she (would refuse) … unless I have a lot of money to buy her. I knew where she lived and traced her movements and how many people she lived with in her shack, but I found out that her boyfriend only came (back at) month ends. I went to her place Friday night and it was raining so it helped me attack her well as no one else could hear me. I used a bolt cutter to gain entry, wielding a butcher knife. I told her not to scream until I leave her place.
Q: Did she open a (police) case?
A: I don't know because I never got arrested for the rape.
Respondent number four - age not given
Q: Have you ever had sex with a woman who didn't want to?
A: Yes
Q: How did it happen?
A: The woman always asked me for (a) cool drink or money for transport. I did give her (these things) many times. When I needed her to sleep with me she always came up with excuses. (In) January this year I met her on the street when I was coming from the nearby shop holding plastic (bags) with groceries. I decided to invite her to my place, she came over and when I needed sex she said, 'not today, next time'. I didn't buy the story. I overpowered and raped her.
Q: Did she open a case after that?
A: Yes.
Q: Did they arrest you?
A: Yes, the following day.
Q: Have you served time for the rape?
A: I (awaited) trial for six months. My brother bought the docket from the (prosecuting authorities) for R5000 (£321) and the case was (thrown out).
Respondent number five - aged 28
Q: Have you ever had sex with a woman who didn't want to?
A: No
Q: Why not?
A: It's not the right thing to do.
Q: What do you think about those who do so?
A: They are not man enough; a real man doesn't force a woman in bed for it is a crime to do so.
Q: Do you know someone who might have done this?
A: Yes! But I have no respect for people who do such things.
Respondent number six - aged 24
Q: Have you ever had sex with a woman who didn't want to?
A: Yes.
Q: How did it happen?
A: We watched (a) game of soccer together at my place at night while her parents had gone out. I bought some ciders. I knew she liked them, and we drunk together. In the middle of the game I (raped her).
Q: Did she open a case against you?
A: No!
Q: Why not?
A: I think she just got scared of her parents and avoided the embarrassment.
Q: Have you apologised to her to see if she had animosity towards you after the rape?
A: I tried but she didn't want to talk to me.
Q: How do you feel that you did such a thing to your neighbour?
A: I feel great because she is a nice woman to have (slept) with even though (it was) against her will.
Respondent number seven - aged 39
Q: How old was your victim?
A: 21.
Q: Was this the first time?
A: Yes.
Q: How did it happen?
A: (There) were five of us who went out on (a) Friday night (in) 2011. We did a house arrest, three of us got into the house of a white man demanding (he) open up his safe of money. He refused so we used a hot iron to get him to open the safe. The moment we were still busy teasing him our two accomplices came in with his wife who didn't know that there was a robbery in progress at her house. She was … raped ... repeatedly. We left the scene with jewellery and cash plus a cellphone.
Q: Was anyone arrested for this crime?
A: No
Q: Do you still do crime?
A: When (I get) a nice tip-off.
Respondent number eight - aged 39
Q: Have you ever had sex with a woman who didn't want to?
A: Yes
Q: How did it happen?
A: My ex-girlfriend's sister lived with us in the same shack and when (I was) off her sister would be at work, so we watched TV together. I asked and promised to buy her expensive shoes if she slept with me. She refused and I forced myself on her and told her that if she talked about it I would chase both her (and) her sister, so she kept quiet.
Q: How do you feel whenever you see her after you did this?
A: I feel nothing bad about it.
Q: Why not?
A: I supported her at my place and I deserved to ask for a favour too.
Q: Do you call it rape?
A: No.
Q: But you forced yourself on her?
A: Yes.
Respondent number nine - aged 27
Q: Have you ever slept with a woman who didn't want to?
A: Yes.
Q: How did it happen?
A: We went to a big party in Rustenburg and there was this woman whom I admired. I proposed to give her a lift after a party. We left together after the party and both of us had taken some beers but I made sure that I didn't drink too much. In the car after driving 5km I wanted to kiss her and she kissed too but refused to sleep with me. However, I used my power to overcome ... her.
Q: Did she report you to the police?
A: No. I phoned her while at work and promised to give her some money, which I did - R1000 (£64) to close her mouth.
Q: Was this the first time for you?
A: Yes.
Q: Are you married?
A: Yes.
Q: Were you scared that if your wife knew about the rape she would be mad at you?
A: Very much so and that's why I paid her to save my marriage.
Respondent number 10 - aged 21
Q: Have you ever slept with a woman against her will?
A: Yes
Q: How did it happen?
A: My classmate, (a) girl who lives near our shack, came over to study with me some maths, during the study time we locked ourselves in the room so I used the opportunity to rape her.
Q: Did she report you to the police?
A: Yes. I was arrested and placed under my parents' care as I was still at school.
Q: Do you think it was the right thing to do?
A: No.
Q: What can you say to those who rape women?
A: They must stop; it's a wrong thing to do. It has serious consequences and can put (you) behind bars for life.
Q: Was this the first time?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you have friends who rape women?
A: Yes.
Respondent number 11 - aged 26
Q: Have you ever had sex with a woman who didn't want to?
A: Yes.
Q: When?
A: 2013.
Q: How did happen?
A: We are a gang and we steal and rape women. This year (in) February we went out, seven of us, to a busy tavern to rob people on the street and rape women. At about 12pm the woman walked out of the tavern alone going to an outside toilet. We followed her, three of us, and raped her.
Q: What happened after the rape?
A: We moved out of the area for a while but until now nothing has ever happened to us.
Q: Were you doing it for the first time?
A: No.
Q: What do you think about what you do to women?
A: We are gangsters and we love it.
Q: Don't you think you could be caught and thrown in jail?
A: We aren't afraid of prison.
Respondent number 12 - aged 34
Q: Have you ever slept with a woman who didn't want to?
A: Yes
Q: When did it happen?
A: 2000
Q: How did it happen?
A: Fridays we went out to chill and drink some beers … after hours me and my friend we saw a young good-looking woman who was drunk on the street, we took her to our place and (raped) her in our shack for an hour. This became a habit and every Friday we made sure that we hung on at the tavern to pick up girls who were drinking after hours.
Q: How many times have you raped a woman?
A: Five times.
Q: Have you ever been arrested for any rape?
A: Once.
Q: Did you serve time for it?
A: Yes.
Q: How long?
A: Six years.
Q: Do you think it's the right thing to do?
A: Why do women go to taverns in mini-skirts?
Q: What do you think they want?
A: To be raped.
Respondent number 13 - aged 41
Q: Have you ever raped a woman?
A: Yes.
Q: How did it happen?
A: We ran a choir with my friend and took trips with young-looking girls and woman. Within the choir I chose who to have sex with and I always found it easy because of my position.
Q: How many times have you done so?
A: More than 10 times.
Q: Do you call it rape?
A: Yes.
Q: Why?
A: Because all these ladies I never had an affair with … but had sex with them because of my position.
Q: Did anyone report these incidents to the police?
A: No.
Q: How do you feel about them?
A: I feel ashamed and bad when I look at some of the ladies. I used them.
Respondent number 14 - aged 35
Q: Have you ever slept with a woman who didn't want to?
A: Yes.
Q: How did it happen?
A: We went to a funeral … and when we arrived there it was late. One lady decided to go and rest with me at my place before the funeral service, so I gave her a place and left her to sleep so that I could join her. I forced myself on her. After finishing we all kept quiet … and I felt guilty.
Q: Was this the first time?
A: It was my second time but my first one was with a schoolgirl at home when I was on leave.
Q: How do you feel about these incidents?
A: We all rape woman somehow. Others use money to get (their way).
Respondent number 15 - aged 23
Q: Have you ever raped a woman?
A: No.
Q: What do you think about rape?
A: It's (a) disgusting and cowardly action from those who do it.
Q: Why do you think people do it?
A: Traditionally … a man never asked for sex but just slept with her because (he) paid … for her.
Respondent number 16 - aged 38
Q: Have you ever slept with a woman who did not want to?
A: Yes
Q: How did it happen?
A: From a street bash where we all had … alcohol and slept at my friend's apartment with three other girls who (were) friends of my friend's girlfriend. This is where I took a chance after seeing that this other (person) was completely drunk.
Q: Were you doing this for the first time?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you call this rape?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you know people who do the same?
A: A lot of them.
Respondent number 17 - aged 26
Q: Have you ever raped a woman?
A: No
Q: What do you think about rape?
A: It's bad.
Q: Why do you think people rape?
A: Other (people) don't really rape, it's the women who just need money (who) report … rape.
Respondent number 18 - aged 29
Q: Have you ever raped a woman?
A: Once.
Q: How did it happen?
A: My wife had gone away so I called a young woman to do some washing for me and promised to pay her R100 (£6). When she arrived I put the TV (on) and asked her to watch with me. I forced her to have sex.
Q: Did she report you?
A: No - I gave her R200 (£13) instead of the agreed R100 (£6).
Q: Do you call it rape?
A: Yes.
Q: Why?
A: Because she came over to do my washing, not to have sex.
Respondent number 19 - aged 29
Q: Have you ever raped someone?
A: Yes
Q: How did it happen?
A: I entered her apartment and raped her.
Q: Was it for the first time?
A: No - it was the fourth time.
Q: Have you been arrested for any of them?
A: No.
Q: Do you still do it?
A: When the opportunity presents itself I always do.
Respondent number 20 - aged 31
Q: Have you ever raped someone?
A: Yes many times sir.
Q: How did it happen?
A: I am a park man who goes to hang on there and wait for women who pass there late. I raped most of them at gunpoint and took their cellphones.
Q: Have you killed any of them?
A: No.
Q: Have you been arrested for any of the crimes?
A: Once only for three years.
Q: Do you continue raping women?
A: This one is a sensitive answer. I won't respond.
Respondent number 21 - age 33
Q: Have ever raped someone?
A: No
Q: What do you think about people who rape?
A: They should be castrated by the law.
Q: Why do you think they rape?
A: Drugs.
Q: Do you someone who did rape someone?
A: There are many.
Q: Have you ever raped someone?
A: No.
Q: What do you think about people who rape?
A: They should be killed.
Q: Why do you think they rape?
A: They are afraid of women.
Q: What do you think the people should do with them?
A: Don't call the police, just (castrate) them.
Respondent number 22 - age 37
Q: Have you ever raped someone?
A: Once
Q: Was it the first time?
A: Yes
Respondent number 23 - age 31
Q: Have you ever had sex with some who didn't want to?
A: Yes
Q: Was it the first time?
A: It was the second time.
Q: Why did you rape rather than asking for a relationship?
A: I don't work and all women want money so the best is just to rape.
Q: Are you not afraid of being caught?
A: Rape those who won't know you.
Respondent number 24 - age 42
Q: Have you ever raped someone?
A: Yes
Q: How did it happen?
A: She boarded a late taxi and we were the only two, so I took a different route and stopped the taxi at a quiet place and raped her.
Q: Did she not report you to the cops?
A: She didn't have time to get the registration number.
Q: Was it for the first time?
A: Twice
Q: Why do you do it?
A: I don't have a woman so when I get a chance I use it.
Respondent number 25 - age 39
Q: Have you ever raped a woman?
A: No
Q: Why do other man rape women?
A: Women like money, that's why they get raped. Others like beer.
Respondent number 26 - age 23
Q: Have you ever raped a woman?
A: Yes
Q: How many times?
A: Only once
Q: How did it happen?
A: At a wedding. We went for drinks and we exchanged a woman in a room who was drunk.
Q: Did you get arrested for it?
A: No
Respondent number 27- age 39
Q: Have you ever had sex with a woman who didn't want to?
A: Yes
Q: How many times?
A: Once
Respondent number 28 - age 38
Q: Have you ever had sex with a woman who didn't want to?
A: Yes
Q: How many times?
A: Once.
Q: Did you ever get arrested for it?
A: No
-Sky News