Piece by: BBC

01 August 2022

• Police have said the suspects - most of whom are illegal miners - may also be linked to the gang rape of eight women who were part of a crew filming a music video.

• The eight victims of the gang rape ranged in age from 19 to 37

On Monday, 82 persons are scheduled to appear in court in South Africa on charges of illegal mining, attempted murder, explosives possession, and violating immigration regulations.

The suspects, many of whom are illegal miners, may also be connected to the gang rape of eight women who were taking part in a crew filming a music video, according to the police.

The incident occurred in Krugersdorp, west of Johannesburg, and happened on Thursday. The 12-woman and 10-man ensemble said they were attacked near a mine dump while they were filming a music video.

The eight victims of the gang rape ranged in age from 19 to 37. According to one of the victims who spoke with a local newspaper, the group of illegal miners approached them while wearing blankets and masks and fired rounds into the air.

The older suspect, according to the victim, then gave the lesser boys orders to rape the women before robbing them of their possessions.

The event has horrified South Africa and reignited calls for convicted rapists to be chemically castrated.