By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: Andy Mkosi.
The rape charges against 14 suspects who were arrested in connection with the gang rape of eight women in Krugersdorp have been with withdrawn.
The suspects were acquitted on all counts of rape, sexual assault and robbery with aggravating circumstances by the Krugersdorp Magistrates Court on Thursday morning.
The charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence, including some DNA results that could not link the suspects to the crime.
The NPA’s Phindi Mjonondwane said on Thursday that charges of rape, sexual assault, and robbery with aggravating circumstances against all the 13 men and a minor were dropped. This, she said, was after DNA collected from the victims did not link the accused to the crime.
“Upon consultation with the complainants in the matter, and evidential material currently at the disposal of the NPA, it became apparent that there is insufficient evidence to proceed with the prosecution,” Mjonondwane said.
However, she said, the accused still face charges of being in South Africa illegally.
Police caught the group after eight women were raped at gunpoint while filming a music video at a disused mine dump in West Village in July.
Earlier this month, a former police officer was arrested in connection with the Krugersdorp gang rape case.
Dolphina Truter was arrested and charged with theft and defeating the ends of justice.
She was part of the film crew and helped find the location where the gang rape happened in July.
It is alleged that she had in her possession property that belonged to one of the rape victims.
The 49-year-old was released on warning while police carried out further investigations, and the matter was postponed to 28 November.
Mjonondwane said the suspects have been remanded in custody and will be back in court on 1 November.