Krugersdorp gang rape: Cele visits families, gives update on investigation

Minister of Police Bheki Cele has welcomed the mass arrests of suspects in connection with the rapes of eight women in Krugersdorp.

Detective teams are fast-tracking biological evidence

Cele stated that detective teams are fast-tracking biological evidence in order to link some of the suspects to the rape of the young women.

“Police are in the air and on the ground, squeezing out criminals regardless of whichever hole they are hiding in. We know this community has been vocal about criminals making their lives a hell there and we are turning the tide. I am also satisfied with the briefing by the detective teams about the progress to fast-track biological evidence processing to link some of the arrested suspects to the rape of the young women,”

said Cele.

Cele visited some of the women who survived the gang rape

Cele visited six of the eight-woman who survived the gang rape along with their families on Sunday, 31 July. It’s been revealed that some of the survivors of the traumatising ordeal are as young as 19 years old.

Some of the women are signers, models, presenters and professional makeup artists.

“These young women are traumatised and are not in a good shape, mentally or otherwise. This is why the Gauteng MEC of community safety, Faith Mazibuko, has sent psychologists and councillors to provide mental healthcare to them. I have also requested Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu, to offer more support and immediately initiate restorative efforts for these young women whose only goal was to earn a living, only to be met with such brutality,”

said Cele.

The Police Ministry also stated that some of the women who survived the gang rape are allegedly being harassed by media houses demanding interviews. The police have discouraged media houses from doing so.

WATCH: Krugersdorp gang rape: Seventeen more arrested on Saturday

Previously, it was reported that the SAPS arrested seventeen people on Saturday after a gang of armed men stormed the set of a music video and raped eight women in Krugersdorp.

According to a report by eNCA, the West Rand District Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana said all the suspects are undocumented foreign nationals. Police shot and killed two people and arrested 67 on Friday evening.

Total arrests now stand at 84. Read the full story here.