EFF welcomes the arrest of ex-warrant officer implicated in gang rape of 8 women in Krugersdorp

13 October 2022

The EFF welcomes the arrest of a white woman and ex-warrant officer, who has been charged with theft and defeating the ends of justice in relation to the brutal gang-rape of 8 women which happened in Krugersdorp. Her arrest comes after some of the items stolen from the crime scene were found in her possession.

The nation has been devastated while trying to grapple around what might have happened on that fateful afternoon in West Village, Krugersdorp where the lives of 8 young black women were swiftly destroyed at gun point through horrific acts of gang rape whilst filming a music video.

The current revelations reveal what was possibly a well-orchestrated crime against humanity, which has scarred the 8 survivors for life. We note with suspicion her alleged involvement in the last-minute change of venue of the film and that as a former warrant officer in Krugersdorp Police Station, she should have been aware of how dangerous the location of the film crew is and should have asked for the police to escourt the crew but opted not to.

The EFF hopes that this is not one of the cases in which vulnerable black young women whom are unemployed and inherently poor are promised employment as bait to serve criminal elements and motives.

The developments in the case confirm what we have been condemning for a while, that the government is using the Krugersdorp tragedy to promote and perpetuate xenophobia as opposed to addressing the brutal scourge of gender-based violence facing women of this country. Violent crimes are escalating in South Africa and the ruling government is perpetually failing to provide the necessary resources and interventions to address GBV.

The South African Police Services (SAPS) is incapable of solving crime without spring cleaning itself of corrupt elements that serve as an impediment to justice and functions of our justice system. There exists a particular trend in South Africa where major crimes are found to have been orchestrated by members of the police service and government officials, including illegal mining which the Krugersdorp tragedy was attributed to.

The EFF will be monitoring the case closely and hope that her arrest will assist meaningfully in bringing the victims closer to justice and the public into confidence.

Issued by Sinawo Thambo, National Spokesperson, EFF, 14 October 2022