Ekeomah Atuonwu
Following the dismissal of charges against 14 men accused of gang raping and robbing female members of a film crew at an abandoned mine in Krugersdorp, west of Johannesburg, women’s rights organizations in South Africa expressed their outrage and criticized police for what they believed to be shortcomings.
According to state prosecutors, there is not enough evidence to move through with the case against the men.
AEM reported that at least eight women were attacked and sexually assaulted in July while they were shooting a music video, and the males, who are thought to be illegal miners, were captured following a police raid at the mine.
As community members suspected the small-scale miners operating in the abandoned mine shafts of perpetrating the crimes, reports of the rapes provoked violent riots in the townships surrounding Krugersdorp.
The demonstrators also flocked to the abandoned mines, blocking the entrances used by the miners to descend down, and setting fire to their temporary shelters and personal possessions. Miners were captured, beaten, and then turned over to police.
Police first detained more than 80 males before bringing charges against just 14. Police Minister Bheki Cele referred to the rapes as the “shame of the nation.”
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of South Africa, however, announced on Thursday that DNA tests could not connect any of the individuals to the rapes and that the robbery and rape charges had been dropped.
“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,” said NPA spokeswoman PhindiMjonondwane.
The Commission for Gender Equality, an organization that advocates for women’s rights, called on the police to quickly relaunch an investigation.
“We are completely outraged at these latest developments, which means the police have no idea who committed this crime. They arrested the wrong people, so the real criminals are still out there,” said spokesman Javu Baloyi.
The Sisonke organization, which staged demonstrations at court during the suspects’ appearances, also called on police to act quickly to find those responsible.
Prosecutors said the 14 men are now only facing charges related to immigration offenses as they are suspected to be in South Africa illegally.