Authorities are investigating at least 32 rape cases, police in the northern province of Gauteng said on Saturday. Some of the victims were raped by up to 10 men, said Police Minister Bheki Cele. The group of criminals also committed an armed robbery.
On Friday, heavily armed criminals attacked a film crew in the village of Krugersdorp, near the economic metropolis of Johannesburg, who were shooting a video clip in an abandoned mine. The eight women who were raped were all models aged between 19 and 35. According to police, the attackers also stole wallets, cell phones and jewelry and then fled the scene. The officers shot dead two of the criminals as they fled.
“Horrible” Act
President Cyril Ramaphosa described the act as “terrifying”. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi burst into tears during a press conference on Saturday. Krugersdorp residents told local TV station eNCA that they had been living in fear since the incident.
Sexual assault is a major problem in South Africa, with its approximately 60 million people. According to police statistics, 10,818 people were raped in the first three months of this year alone. However, the police believe that the number of unreported cases is much higher because most cases go unreported.