Tensions are very high in the Krugersdorp region of South Africa and in the country as a whole following the bringing of dozens of gang rape accused before a judge. Since the weekend, the country has experienced mass riots.
More than 80 people who were allegedly involved in the gang rape of eight women were present in court today (Monday).
The local police minister described the rape incident as a “national shame”. The authorities initially blamed the act on illegal miners working in the area, until on Friday morning, a group of miners narrowly escaped an angry mob before the police intervened and removed them from the scene.
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So far, none of the suspects in the gang rape have been officially charged by the authorities. The police claim that they are still analyzing DNA evidence in order to link some of the suspects to the rape. The case also put pressure on the police, with critics claiming that law enforcement agencies are ill-equipped to deal with crime in the country: “If the police can’t help us, then we have to take the law into our own hands, there’s no other way, there’s nothing else we can do.” Community member Kelly Mack acknowledged.
President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the incident and declared that “rapists have no place in our society.”
In the meantime, it was announced in recent days that the South African army has put 200 soldiers on standby in case they are needed to help deal with increasing cases of unrest and crime-related violence, Timesslave reported.
The order was issued after a military command council meeting last week, when generals were warned to be on high alert, the Johannesburg news website said.