When she survived a group of knife-wielding thugs, the young woman thought she was finally safe when she was rescued by another group of teenage boys she knew from her township. A few hours later, her saviours put her through trauma that she will never forget for the rest of her life. They allegedly gang-raped her throughout the night until she was rescued by her brother's girlfriend the next morning. The alleged rapists were hunted down by the community who handed them over to the police. On Friday, the alleged rapists both aged 18, were granted bail R1000 by the Tsakane Magistrates' Court in Ekurhuleni.

UNLUCKY ESCAPE 

According to NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, it is alleged that at midnight on 09 April 2023, while the victim (18) was on her way back from a function with her two friends, a group of boys who were carrying knives approached them from behind. She said while the three were running in different directions, trying to escape, the victim was approached by another group of boys who promised to protect her from the men with knives. "This group consisted of Nkuna, Ndlela, and three minor boys who are aged between 15 and 16. The victim and the group of boys proceeded to walk to a shack on extension 19 in Tsakane," said Mahanjana. On arrival, one of the boys offered her hubbly, she smoked then later went to sleep. "While sleeping she was woken up by one of the accused persons, who took off her clothes and began to rape her, thereafter the other four accused proceeded to rape her as well. The victim was released in the morning after her brother's girlfriend came looking for her." Mahanjana added.

NO NONSENSE TAKING MPHAKATHI

Mahanjana said on 15 April 2023, while a police officer was at the Tsakane client services centre, a group of community members arrived and handed over two accused. The following day on 16 April 2023, one of the accused was found and arrested at home, and on the same day two other accused were brought in at the Tsakane police station by community members. "The three minor boys were subsequently released to the care of their guardians on 18 April 2023. In court, Nkuna and Ndlela asked to be released on bail of R1000, and affidavits were submitted to the court. During the ruling the magistrate said that it is in the interest of justice to release the accused on bail. The matter was postponed for 13 June 2023 for a regional court appearance."