West Village film crew attack: 65 arrested, 32 counts of rape being investigated
National Police say the attackers ordered everyone to lie on the ground and subsequently raped eight of the women before robbing everyone of their belongings and fleeing the scene.
Two suspects were shot dead and 65 others were arrested following a vicious attack on a film crew in West Village on Thursday, July 28. National police confirmed that eight women had been raped. In addition, the SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) is investigating 32 counts of rape as well as a case of armed robbery.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili said an operation, led by the Provincial Commissioner of Police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, was launched on Friday, July 29. Many law-enforcement agencies as well as security companies were involved. Mogale City’s Executive Mayor Councillor Tyrone Gray also joined in the operations.
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Brigadier Muridili said the crew of 22 people – 12 women and 10 men – were filming a music video when they were attacked by a group of armed men wearing blankets.
The attackers ordered everyone to lie on the ground and subsequently raped eight of the women before robbing everyone of their belongings and fleeing the scene.
“The multi-disciplinary team comprised of members from Crime Intelligence, the Special Task Force, National Intervention Unit, Tactical Response Team, K9 Unit, Flying Squad, Highway Patrol, SAPS Airwing and a Tracker helicopter, as well as the Department of Home Affairs and other private security stakeholders. The Airwing and the deployment of drone technology assisted the ground forces to track the fleeing suspects.
“During the operations, two suspects were fatally shot. Police seized two unlicensed firearms and explosives while items belonging to the victims were recovered. A total of 65 suspects were arrested for contravening the Immigration Act [13 of 2002]. One of them with a gunshot wound was hospitalised.”
The tragedy, which attracted national attention, followed a string of crime-related incidents in the area. Residents have been trying to get help to get rid of the illegal miners in the area.
In 2019 the police shut down the Makhulugama informal settlement in the West Village area in an effort to get rid of the illegal miners, but they had since returned.
Also read: WATCH: Cops bring Makhulugama near West Village to its knees
A resident told the News that they wanted the police to fight for them – not only on Thursday, but every day.
“Everyone should know what is happening in West Village and what people here are going through. Living under siege must come to an end, one way or the other.”
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Muridili said police were continuing with operations, and encouraged members of the public to report any criminal activities by calling the Crime Stop toll free number on 08600 10111 or by sending tip-offs via the My SAPS app which can downloaded on any smartphone.
Also read: Ten men rape young woman in early morning Sivewright Street attack
