Sixty-five suspects have been arrested after eight women were allegedly raped and robbed, along with other production crew members, while recording a music video in Krugersdorp, police spokesperson Brenda Muridili said on Friday.
Two suspects were shot dead, one was injured, and 65 suspects were arrested during a multidisciplinary operation in Krugersdorp on Friday. The suspects allegedly pointed firearms at the police. “Two unlicensed firearms, explosives as well as other items that belong to the victims have since been recovered,” she added.
Muridili said the the suspects were arrested for contravention of the Immigration Act.
Muridili said a production company was shooting a music video on Thursday when they were attacked by a group of armed men. A group of 20 men wearing Basotho blankets and balaclavas allegedly fired shots in the air and ordered everyone to lay down before raping the women near the bushes.
“Eight of the victims were allegedly raped by the suspects before robbing them of their belongings,” said Muridili.
Police Minister Bheki Cele went to the crime scene on Friday followed by senior police officials, including police commissioner Fannie Masomela. Provincial police commissioner Elias Mawela has maximised maximum resources to hunt down the suspects.
Earlier, President Cyril Ramaphosa made reference to the incident during his speech was at the ANC’s policy conference.
“This morning, we just heard of the horrible incident where a number of women in our country were abused. We have directed the minister of police and law enforcement agencies to immediately embark on this to make sure that the perpetrators of this crime are apprehended and dealt with. Comrade Bheki Cele has already been there, and we are following up on this horrible incident,” he said.
Source: News24, Times Live, The South African, The Citizen, Eyewitness News, image from Twitter: Sowetan Live