Seven suspects in the Krugersdorp mine dump attack charged with rape

Seven suspects have been linked to the gang rape of eight women in Krugersdorp last month.

The women had been shooting a music video at a disused mine on the West Rand when they and the film crew were attacked by scores of men in Basotho blankets on July 30. Five of the eight models were gang raped. The attackers were believed to be zama zamas operating in the area. 

The seven charged with rape appeared in the Krugersdorp magistrate's court alongside their co-accused, where they faced additional charges of robbery and the contravention of the Immigration Act on Wednesday.

The news of the gang rape sent shock waves across the country and sparked sporadic anti-zama zama protests on the West Rand. 

Police descended on areas allegedly targeted by the zama zama-hit areas shortly after the rapes, and 81 undocumented people were arrested. 

Of the 81, only 70 suspects appeared in court on Wednesday. The others are expected to appear on Thursday.

Communities on the West Rand have been up in arms and embarked on a mission to uproot the zama zamas. Over the past few days, they have alleged horrific incidents where they fell victim to crimes committed by the informal miners.

Police members, part of a new tactical response team — the “AmaBherete” — were deployed to the area after unrest on Monday as community members took matters into their own hands, ransacking and burning down the homes of alleged zama zamas in an effort to clamp down on informal operations.

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