During an appearance at the Krugersdorp Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, it was revealed that the state has since managed to link 14 suspects to the rapes and robberies.
Nomvula Makanyane of the ANC leads a picket outside the Krugersdorp Magistrate’s Court on August 3, 2022. Photo: @MYANC/Twitter
JOHANNESBURG – The African National Congress’s (ANC) Nomvula Makanyane said the suspects in the rape and robbery of eight women in Krugersdorp last month should receive the harshest possible sentences if convicted.
More than 120 men, women and children have been seized in a series of police raids following an incident at an abandoned mine.
The only charges he initially faced were illegal immigration, illegal mining and theft.
During an appearance at the Krugersdorp Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, it was revealed that the state has since managed to link 14 suspects to the rapes and robberies.
Seven of them appeared in the dock, seven more are due to appear on Thursday.
Makanyane was among a crowd of men and women who gathered outside the court calling for justice.
Speaking after the trial, she welcomed the new allegations.
“We welcome this news because, once again, the issues of GBV and femicide are truly pandemic in our country. The rights of the poor young women have been violated and we hope that a significant number of them will come forward tomorrow so that the trial can begin and justice can be done,” Makanyane said.
She said if they are found guilty, they don’t have to feel sorry.
“Let them serve the harshest sentence, especially for this rape case. They deserve the harshest sentence. It will act as a deterrent if they get the harshest sentence that exists in the country,” Makanyane said.
