Police have launched an investigation in Malipsdrift in Limpopo after five women were allegedly gang-raped, one was shot and wounded, while six others were assaulted and wounded by a group of armed suspects.
Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo, the Limpopo police spokesperson said the incidents were allegedly carried out by a group of six armed suspects who stormed into two funeral parlours which are situated next to Leporong, along the R37 Road in the early hours of Sunday.
“According to reports, two female friends were on their way to visit a boyfriend working at Wisani Burial Society, which is a funeral parlour. They were walking along R37 Road when they were accosted by the six men who grabbed them and took them to the first mortuary where they shot and injured one employee,” said Mojapelo.
“They then proceeded to the next mortuary and on arrival, they found three female and six male employees. All six males were severely assaulted by the suspects, allegedly using the buds (butts) of their firearms until they became unconscious.”
The five women- two friends and the three employees were then gang-raped and robbed of cellphones and other belongings.
Mojapelo said the victims were discovered by another employee reporting for duty and police were alerted.
“On arrival at the scene they found the badly injured victims. Some female victims were also assaulted. The victims were transported to the hospital for medical treatment,” he said.
Five counts of rape, three of kidnapping, attempted murder and business robbery have been opened and police investigations are unfolding.
Anyone with information that could help lead to the arrest of the suspects may contact Lieutenant Colonel Lehlangane Mamadisa on 079 894 5482 or call Crime Stop on 08600 10111or the nearest police station, said the police.
Source: The South African, Times Live, IOL, image from The South African: Times of India