The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has withdrawn rape charges against the 14 suspects arrested in connection with the Krugersdorp gang rape due to insufficient evidence.
The suspects were acquitted on all counts of rape, sexual assault and robbery with aggravating circumstances by the Krugersdorp Magistrate’s Court on Thursday morning.
According to Phindi Mjonondwana, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, DNA collected from the victims did not link the accused to the crime.
“Upon consultation with the complainants and evidential material currently at the disposal of the NPA, it became apparent that there is insufficient evidence to proceed with the prosecution,” Mjonondwana said.
“The prosecution will, however, continue in the Krugersdorp Magistrate’s Court in respect of charges of contravening the Immigration Act.”
Police caught the group after eight women were raped at gunpoint while filming a music video at a disused mine dump in West Village in July.
“The investigations are ongoing, and we will continue to play the role of guiding the investigations as the NPA. However, all accused persons remain in custody facing a charge of contravention of the Immigration Act. They will be back in court on 1 November 2022,” Mjonondwana added.
Civil society organisations said the acquittal of the 14 suspects arrested in connection with the gang rape of 14 women in Krugersdorp is a setback in the pursuit of justice.
Bafana Khumalo, the Director at Sonke Gender said the case had been handled disgracefully.
“We would prefer for the police, particularly the police minister, not to rush and go public in cases like this, because you create the kind of disappointment we are seeing now. It is shocking how we are facing this sloppiness when he is responding,” Khumalo said.
Amnesty International said it seeks more clarity from the NPA after is announced in August that several suspects were positively linked to the rape of eight women.
Shenilla Mohamed, the organisation’s director said: “We need more answers and transparency from the NPA on how it went from a positive link to this. It is crucial that the police and the NPA do what is needed to ensure that there is justice for the victims.
Source: News24, Eyewitness News, IOL, Sunday World, SABC News, image from Twitter: @tndaba