[imagesource: Pexels / Kat Wilcox]

In a country that finds it tough to be shocked by crime these days, the gang rape which took place at West Village in Krugersdorp in July managed to do just that.

Eight women were robbed and repeatedly sexually assaulted while filming a music video and many illegal miners, or zama zamas, were rounded up in the week that followed.

As many as 120 arrests were made around the West Village area but early on, warning signs around the investigation were apparent.

14 men faced charges of rape, sexual assault, and robbery with aggravating circumstances. Those have now been withdrawn due to insufficient evidence, reports TimesLIVE:

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the decision to withdraw the charges was informed by the outcome of DNA test results which excluded the accused…

Image: SAPS

The suspects remain in custody and are still charged with contravention of the Immigration Act in the Krugersdorp magistrate’s court.

NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the case has now been postponed to November 1.

During an identity parade of potential suspects, three of the victims had pointed out the men as their attackers. They now say they may have been mistaken.

Where does this leave us? The bad news via News24:

“We can’t really blame them because they were traumatised and scared at the time because they had just been raped. We understand the state they were in,” said Mjonondwane.

“We are back to square one and are still investigating, looking for the suspects,” she said.

There it is.

After months and months of talk about those responsible being held accountable and countless visits by Minister of Police Bheki Cele (AKA the twat in a hat), we are “back to square one”.

Without condoning it, it’s not hard to see why these communities often resort to mob justice.

Director at Sonke Gender Justice, Bafana Khumalo, gave EWN a piece of his mind:

“We would prefer for the police, particularly the police minister, not to rush and go public in cases like this, because you create the king of disappointment we are seeing now. It was shocking how we are facing this sloppiness when he is responding,” Khumalo said.

Hear, hear, Bafana.

[sources:timeslive&news24&ewn]