Share

PODCAST | The Story: DNA evidence crucial in Krugersdorp gang rape case

accreditation
0:00
play article
Subscribers can listen to this article
South Africans are reeling from yet another horrific crime story dominating the headlines. This time - eight women gang raped in Krugersdorp last week while shooting a music video at a mine dump.
South Africans are reeling from yet another horrific crime story dominating the headlines. This time - eight women gang raped in Krugersdorp last week while shooting a music video at a mine dump.
  • Eight women were gang raped while filming a music video at a mine dump in Krugersdorp last Thursday.
  • Dozens of men were arrested in connection with the attack, but no one was directly linked to the rapes.
  • Police took DNA samples, and the case was prioritised at the forensic laboratory.

More than 80 people appeared in the Krugersdorp Magistrate's Court this week in connection with a gang rape in Krugersdorp, but none of the accused has been directly linked to the rapes as yet.

Instead, they are being charged with being in the country illegally.

The case was postponed to 10 August, for an identity parade to be held.

Police took DNA samples from the accused - and the case is now a priority at the forensic laboratory. 

This week, on The Story, we speak to News24 journalist Iavan Pijoos, who has been covering the case, and the director of DNA for Africa, Vanessa Lynch.

Pijoos says the situation on the ground is volatile.

The community is angry, saying illegal miners have terrorised the area for years.  

Pijoos said he spoke to a local pastor, who told him that two security guards working at the cemetery were "allegedly abducted by illegal miners, held hostage and raped" last month. 

Lynch says DNA evidence will play a crucial role in this case.

She says: "South Africa has hit a new low."

She believes, however, that this case "has struck a chord" for many people.

More than one man raped the women, and Lynch said mixed DNA samples would make the analysis process "more complex".

But she has "the greatest confidence in our forensic scientists" because they have the experience of dealing with mixed samples. 

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Will you use Amazon's newly launched SA website for your online shopping needs?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes, I'm ready to fill up my cart
46% - 162 votes
No, I'm not buying into the hype
54% - 193 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.52
-0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.16
+0.3%
Rand - Euro
19.91
-0.0%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.22
+0.2%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.3%
Platinum
979.06
+1.3%
Palladium
975.00
-0.9%
Gold
2,313.86
-0.4%
Silver
27.25
-0.7%
Brent-ruolie
83.33
+0.4%
Top 40
70,790
+0.2%
All Share
76,930
+0.2%
Resource 10
61,038
-0.6%
Industrial 25
107,159
+0.1%
Financial 15
16,711
+0.7%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE