Members of the portfolio committees on Police and of Mineral Resources and Energy have heard that the eight women who were gang-raped while filming a music video at a mine dump in Krugersdorp have been placed in a house of safety and continue to receive counselling.
Lieutenant-Colonel Mekgwe of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit informed the committees that four of the eight survivors are currently housed at a place of safety and the fifth one will join them soon. “All of them are doing good, thanks to the Department of Social Development,” Lieutenant-Colonel Mekgwe told the joint briefing. The two committees are conducting a joint fact-finding visit in the Krugersdorp area, following the horrific incident that occurred on 30 July 2022.
The Station Commander of the Krugersdorp Police Station, Brigadier Happy Xaba, told members of the two committees that 210 foreign-national illegal miners were arrested following the incident. Identikits of 210 suspects resulted in the arrest of 14 people, including a 16-year-old.
“Illegal mining is rife in the West Village Area of Krugersdorp and the zama-zamas [illegal miners] remove pillars from disused underground mines, which causes sinkholes in the area,” said Brigadier Xaba.
Member of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ms Linda Moss welcomed the news that the survivors are responding well to counselling and assured the survivors that they have the support of both committees. “Lieutenant-Colonel Mekgwe, please tell those ladies that we love them and that we are sorry and ashamed that this violent crime was committed on them, even during Women’s Month,” Ms Moss said.
Justice Molafo
12 August 2022
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