Rhodes Park suspects plead not guilty to gang rape, murder

Johannesburg - The three men on trial for the double murder and rape at Rhodes Park in Kensington, Johannesburg, pleaded not guilty in the High Court sitting in Palm Ridge on Tuesday.

Thabo Nkala, 25, Admore Ndlovu, 23, and Mduduzi Mathibela Lawrence, 32, looked blankly at the translator as they pleaded to robbery with aggravating circumstances, rape, and murder. 

They were allegedly part of a 12-man gang that attacked two couples walking in the park on the evening of Saturday, October 17 2015.

READ: 3 Rhodes Park murder, rape accused to be charged

According to their charge sheet, the group, armed with a gun and a knife, forced their victims to lie on the ground. They used a knife to cut off the panties of both women and then allegedly raped them.  

They then allegedly forced their partners to undress and forced them into the lake, where they drowned. The gang allegedly stole their clothes, jewellery, and cellphones.

A fourth suspect was arrested in Zimbabwe this week, the court heard on Monday.