A 16-year-old girl was allegedly raped by at least three youths on Saturday 14 March. Police spokesperson for Ermelo Captain Carla Prinsloo said the victim, her sister and her sister’s boyfriend were walking home near the road between Ermelo and Piet Retief at about 19:00 when they were accosted by a group of young men.
The sister and her friend managed to run away but the victim was held and robbed of her cellphone. She was then dragged to an open field where three of the youths took turns in raping her.
She later managed to make her way to the main road where a passing motorist came to her aid and took her to the police station to report the incident.
Prompt follow-up action by the police led to the arrest of five suspects aged between 19 and 22 years of age, scarcely four hours after the incident.
Alex Khaba (19), Emmanuel Derrick Mkhatshwa (19), Zweletini Nkosi (19), Nthokozisi Shabangu (22) and Mduduzi Mbuyinisa (21) appeared in the Ermelo magistrate’s court on Monday on charges of robbery and rape. The case was postponed to 23 March and the suspects have been remanded in custody.
