At least four of seven men linked to the gang rape of a woman in Mpumalanga have been placed under arrest.
According to the Police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli said a 43-year-old woman was reportedly gang raped by seven men on the evening of Saturday, 01 October 2022 at around 23:00 at Mhluzi near Middelburg.
“Police have so far arrested a total of four suspects aged between 17 and 24 in connection with this incident.”
It was gathered that the woman accompanied a relative who had visited the family earlier and on her way back, she came across a group of men who were driving in a bakkie.
Mdhluli said the men allegedly alighted from the vehicle and then dragged her to a nearby room where they took turns in raping her.
“At about 05:00 the next day, 02 October 2022, another man, believed to be residing in the said room arrived probably from work. Instead of the man rescuing the victim, he too allegedly joined the queue and raped her after chasing the suspects.”
Thereafter he fled the scene, leaving behind the woman who then reported the matter to the police.
Mdhuli said a rape case was opened and the docket was assigned to the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit to probe.
“On Monday, 03 October 2022, the four suspects were cornered and arrested by the police. They have appeared before the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court today, facing rape charges,” he said.
He added that the case was postponed to 11 October 2022 for a bail application. The suspects were remanded in custody.
Mdhluli also added that the men and women in blue are still in pursuit of the remaining suspects.
