17-year-old South African girl commits suicide after being gang raped for 3 days by two taxi drivers

A 17-year-old girl, Athabile Khanyi, died by suicide after she was brutally gang-raped in Inanda, Durban, South Africa. 

Advocacy group, Women for Change, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, June 30, 2025, asking how many more will die until GBV and femicide are declared a national disaster in the country. 

On June 6, 2025, Athabile was allegedly kidnapped by two men in a taxi while she was waiting for her ride at a taxi stop, according to WFC. 

She was coerced into taking drugs and subjected to repeated rapes. On the third day, the men let her go. After being freed, she courageously told her family about her experience, but it left her feeling alone and without hope. 

Athabile was later discovered unconscious and taken to the hospital. Sadly, she passed away from her wounds. However, her family discovered a suicide note in which she named her assailants.

Police have reportedly opened a case, but no one has been arrested yet. 

Athabile was a Grade 11 pupil at Makhapha Combined School in Maphephetheni, Inanda. 

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