August, known as Women’s Month In South Africa, is met with a gruesome incident where South African women were victims of gender-based violence.
About 82 illegal miners, believed to be Basotho nationals were arrested in connection with the Krugersdorp horrific attack.
8 women, aged between 19 to 35, and other crew members experienced an unfortunate incident while shooting a music video at the West village mine dump in Krugersdorp last Thursday. The crew was allegedly attacked by about 10 men wearing Basotho blankets, balaclavas and mining overalls. The men ordered the crew to strip off their clothes, robbing them their cellphones, watches, handbags and other personal belongings that are estimated to amount to about R1,5 million.
Ten more men were allegedly called and took the women into the bush, where the women got gang raped. It is reported that one of the victims, aged 19, was gang raped by at least 10 different men.
Nonhlanhla Ncube- Ndaba, chairperson of the portfolio on women, youth and people with disabilities said that the committee à nd the community of Krugersdorp condemned the cruel and horrific act of rape and gender based violence in the strongest terms. Ncube- Ndaba said that the victims should be offered counselling and other services that they may require.
Police minister Bheki Cele with senior policing officials visited the crime scene on Friday, including police commissioner Fanie Masemola.
The police acted swiftly and by Friday, 67 suspects were arrested and an additional of 17 were apprehended on Saturday.
Two other suspects were reported dead and one injured during the SAPS operation.
After DNA processing of the suspects, Khosi Senthumule said that some of the suspects who were expected to appear in court were not on the national DNA database.
The suspects were expected to appear in the Krugersdorp Magistrate’s court on Monday on several charges, including, illegal mining, contravention of the Immigration Act and the possession of stolen goods.
