SEVEN new suspects arrested in the recent police raids in the Krugersdorp area are expected to be charged with rape, sexual assault and robbery with aggravating circumstances by Krugersdorp Magistrates Court.
The charges are linked to the horrific gang rape of eight women that shocked the country last month.
This after the women, who were shooting a music video at an abandoned mine in West Village, were ambushed by a group of zama zamas who gang-raped and robbed them of their equipment.
On Wednesday, 10 August, seven men, among them a 15-year-old boy, were charged in connection with crimes related to the incident.
Civil organisations and political parties came to court to show support for the victims.
West Village community leader Nicolene Trom said she was happy with the arrest and charges, hoping the state would prove these men were guilty of the horrendous crime.
“A possible arrest should be made, and not only to be linked to the crime, but conviction and life sentence. All evidence needs to be in place,” she said.
“The court works with evidence. If they cannot prove without reasonable doubt these are the right people, then we cannot put innocent people in jail for the sake of wanting to make an arrest,” said Trom.
