While the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says it has a watertight case against 14 suspects who appeared in court this week on charges of rape over the horrific attacks on several women at a mine dump in Krugersdorp, more victims are yet to take part in identity parades.
It has been two weeks since the incident left SA in shock and sparked violent protests across Gauteng. In total, 350 zama zamas (illegal miners) have been arrested on the West Rand.
Police minister Bheki Cele said of the 350 “almost all of them are foreign nationals” from Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
“Twenty perpetrators were allegedly involved in raping the eight women, and police have apprehended 14 suspects. Six are still being sought,” Cele said.
Charges range from rape, contravention of the Immigration Act and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The women were filming a video at the site when they were attacked.
NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said there were 19 minors involved in the case.
“We have established prospects of a successful prosecution against those brought to court. We cannot exclude that more suspects can face similar charges as investigations progress. They are not done with identification parades; more victims need to come and attend the parades.
“On Wednesday a minor appeared and an age assessment had to be made to confirm his age. He was a minor and was separated from the rest of the accused.
The rapes sparked outrage and prompted a rampage by residents in the area. They caught, stripped naked and assaulted scores of the informal miners before handing them over to the police. They also damaged the alleged illegal miners' equipment and burnt their shacks. At least one person died.
A municipal permit is required to engage in artistic or recreational activities such as filming a video in public. But Mogale city mayoral spokesperson Phemelo Motoma told the Sunday Times that the municipality had not received an application from the production company filming the video.
“We have no record of an application. We have checked with all the [relevant] departments. When such an application is brought and paid for at the municipality, we ensure that public safety officials are in the vicinity. This way they are able to respond to any safety issues.”
The 10-strong film crew who were shooting the video have not yet made statements to the police.
The crew fled during the attack after being stripped of their clothing.
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