Authorities in South Africa have arrested and charged 82 people after the gang rape of eight women. According to VOA, armed and masked men raped and robbed the victims while they were shooting a music video in the Krugersdorp mining area on July 28.
The suspects, who were arraigned before a court on Monday, are facing a slew of charges including illegal mining, attempted murder, possession of explosives, and violating immigration laws, per BBC. Authorities also said the suspects may have been behind the gang rape of the eight women.
The women told investigators that they were shooting a music video at a mine dump when 10 men confronted them. The suspects, who are illegal miners, hid their faces and opened fire in the air, one of the victims reportedly told a local news outlet.
The victim also said the younger men in the group took turns raping them after a senior suspect ordered them to do so. The incident sparked outrage in South Africa and reignited the conversation of chemically castrating people found guilty of rape.
The country’s Police Minister, Bheki Cele, told VOA that the youngest victim was 19 years old. “Let me tell you, they’re quite traumatized. They’re not in a good shape, mentally or otherwise.” Cele said, adding that they are yet to determine if any of the suspects are directly linked to the gang rapes. Cele also said investigators will conduct forensic testing.
“Many people have been arrested but we need the real perpetrators among those people,” Cele said.
South Africa marks Women’s History Month in August. The executive director of Amnesty International South Africa, Shenilla Mohamed, said they were “outraged” by the incident.
“It is unacceptable that women and children in South Africa are still unsafe due to the high levels of domestic and sexual violence. Authorities must do much more to ensure that South Africa becomes a safer place for women and children and that they do not live in fear,” Mohamed said.
Rape and gender-based violence are very prevalent in South Africa. Authorities recorded over 36,000 rape cases in the 2020 – 2021 financial year.
The beloved host of This Morning, Alison Hammond, is making headlines by selling off her…
Two high school students in Grand Rapids, Michigan, have earned a place in history. The…
Derek Floyd, a 36-year-old Fire Department of New York probationary fireman, died of a heart…
A 4-year-old boy fighting end-stage kidney disease lived out his dream as a cop for…
Director Abshir Rageh oversees film production at Astaan, a privately held cable television network in…
Nigerians are eagerly awaiting to welcome their "daughter" Meghan Markle's royal visit next month alongside…
Othello Larenzo Holmes has been charged with attempted indecent assault and faces five counts of…
Dylan Beard is a Howard University graduate who is currently working at a Walmart deli.…
Boxing legend Mike Tyson is not taking any chances as he prepares for his July…
LeBron James has cast uncertainty over his future with the Lakers by declining to confirm…
Four Florida teenagers were killed after they crashed a suspected stolen car during a police…
When their school bus driver experienced a medical emergency, Acie Holland III came to the…
Former UFC heavyweight champion cum professional boxer Francis Ngannou took to social media on Monday…
A 17-year-old migrant from Sudan, Abdul Usman, has attempted to cross the Channel from France…
Tatiyana, Danyelle LaShay, and Jyniah Smith -- the Smith sisters -- are some of the…