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The younger sister of South Africa and Stormers rugby star Schalk Burger has spoken out about an abduction and gang-rape ordeal she endured a week ago.
Media reports did not name the student involved, but Rene Burger chose to tell her story to the press.
The sex attack
took place in an abandoned house outside Stellenbosch. Burger, a medical student, eventually managed to escape.
Since the news broke on Saturday, the media has respected a request by the family to keep the identity of the player private, in order to protect the privacy of his sister.
Earlier today, however, family spokesperson Dup de Bruyn said Rene wanted to speak out against the abuse of women.
In a media statement, Rene Burger said: "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.
"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," she said.
"I hold no grudge or bitterness but choose to turn this terrible thing that happened to me into something positive."
The statement said her family had expressed relief about having her home safe and wished to thank friends and strangers who had shown solidarity and support.
The family comprises Schalk jun, Schalk sen, who also played top-level rugby, and his wife Myra, Burger's younger brother Tiaan, "and my little sister Rene who got all the looks and all the brains!" as Burger told a magazine a few years back.
De Bruyn said: "The reason why she wants to do that is to send a very strong message - not to lie down, to fight back and don't let them do this to us."
Earlier this week, Stormers spokesperson Frikkie Erasmus told the Cape Argus newspaper how the players had hung on to a draw against the Waratahs at Newlands on Saturday, despite enduring a week of trauma and sadness after the rape of the sister of a fellow player.
"Obviously the whole squad is like a family, and it was disturbing - the players were upset. And yet they were very supportive," Erasmus said.
He had spoken to the player.
"He's fine, but very traumatised, like anyone would be if something like that happens to a sister."
Asked how the news of the brutal crime had affected the players, Erasmus said: "It's something they quite often deal with, traumatic things, so they are equipped to deal with them."
On Monday, the players were still honouring a vow to protect Burger and his sister's identities and had agreed to keep the matter "strictly private, like in a big family".
Media had reported earlier that the Burger family had retreated to a Karoo farm to be alone, and had asked that their privacy be respected.
Police spokesperson Captain Marie Louw said that all queries were to be directed to the family's lawyer.
She said they were hoping to make an arrest soon, after strong leads since the publication of the identikit picture of one of the suspects.
The man depicted is one of three suspects sought for the abduction and rape.
It also emerged that police stationed at the hospital knew nothing about the attack until this week.
A source close to the investigation said: "The security guards apparently didn't know about the attack and even after they were informed, they didn't think to tell the two police officers, who are stationed at a mobile unit there."
The mobile unit has been stationed at the hospital for more than 10 years.
The National Education Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) said it had received previous complaints about security from union members at Tygerberg Hospital.
Tygerberg Hospital's chief director, Dr Terence Carter, said no disciplinary action would be taken against the security company.
- INDEPENDENT (SOUTH AFRICA)
