Police minister Bheki Cele says he has asked the forensic science laboratory to fast-track DNA testing to link the perpetrators of the Krugersdorp gang-rape attacks on Thursday.
He also requested the media to give the families of the traumatised survivors space to really understand what happened.
Cele made these remarks on Sunday afternoon after he met families of six of the eight survivors of the rape ordeal.
More than 80 undocumented suspects were arrested in the Krugersdorp’s West Village area after the rapes and were held for contravening the Immigration Act.
“The investigating team tells me they collected good biological evidence. We have requested our labs to fast-track the collected DNA evidence so we are able to link,” Cele said.
He said the main reason for his visit on Sunday was to meet the parents and hear from them what they think should be done.
“Kids are here. There are six families here. The survivors were here. But we were careful we do not speak to the kids, some of them are quite young. We did not speak to them because that would be the police’s domain,” Cele said.
Cele said during the meeting, parents raised some issues of concern and asked questions, which police had answered.
They are young. They look frail and traumatised. If they can be given space to really understand what has happened, together with their parents, it can be something good.
— Bheki Cele, police minister
“They have made some suggestions. They are taking it in their strides, including the kids.”
Cele said he had been informed that a social media account had revealed the names and addresses of the families whose children were raped.
“They are traumatised. They are not in good shape. That is why the province under [Gauteng community safety] MEC Faith [Mazibuko] has sent psychologists and social workers to come and work with them. I have asked the minister of social development to send more support mechanisms to them going forward,” Cele said.
Cele said he was also told there were journalists who had gone to the homes of these children.
“They are young. They look frail and traumatised. If they can be given space to really understand what has happened, together with their parents, it can be something good. You see there are people that are broken,” Cele said.
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