Published: Less than 30 min ago
More than 80 men arrested after gang-raping eight South African women have appeared in court. South Africa’s minister responsible for the police, Beki Cele, considers the incident to be a “shame for the country”.
The armed attackers forced their way onto a film crew preparing to shoot a music video at a mine in Krugersdorp, a small town west of Johannesburg. Eight young women who took part in the filming were raped.
Migrants who do not have permission to stay in the country and who work in the mines are blamed by the police for the crime. 84 were arrested in a raid in the region. On Monday, they appeared before the court accused of possession of stolen goods and of having entered the country illegally.
An investigation will show whether they are connected to the gang rape, according to the police chief. None of those arrested have yet been formally charged with rape.
President Cyril Ramaphosa condemns the rape and calls it “an affront to the right of women and girls to live and work in freedom and security”.