Woman raped on Mother’s Day keen to drop charges

THE woman who was allegedly raped by a group of about 15 illegal miners in North West on Mother’s Day is considering dropping charges out of fear for her family’s safety.

She says police failed to take photos of the crime scene or collect critical DNA evidence, which might have been washed away by the recent rains.

The married mother-of-two said police have not guaranteed her safety from the feared illegal miners who have been terrorising her community of Muzimuhle and surrounding Orkney and Klerksdorp.

The police have yet to interview any key witnesses, such as the owner of the shebeen in James Motlatsi Hostel, where the woman was thrown out together with her soon-to-be attackers minutes before she was dragged to a nearby bush and raped.

“My panties, tights and belt are probably still at the spot where they raped me. They were so drunk that they did not care where they ejaculated and their DNA was left there, but chances are it has now washed away because the police have not gone to the crime scene,” the 29-year-old woman said.

The shebeen owner, who only wants to be identified as Michael, confirmed that police had not yet interviewed him. He did not want to talk further and hung up the phone.

Yesterday, the woman did not want to go through the details of her harrowing ordeal that took place less than 1km from her house, saying she was still traumatised.

She and her husband began trauma counselling on Tuesday at Tshepisong Hospital.

“People have been coming to our house, forcing my wife to relive her attack. We are all hurt. How will telling you her story help her heal or result in the prosecution of her attackers?” the husband said.

The woman said police had told them the investigation could end up being a “cold case as it would be difficult to catch the perpetrators”.

“They said its difficult to solve cases linked to illegal miners because they are scared of them.

“Two officers came to my house on Monday asking me to point out the crime scene. I said I can drive with them but only point it out while I’m in the car because I don’t want illegal miners to see me,” she said.

Orkney police station commander Lieutenant-Colonel Hans Badenhorst said police had been to the crime scene to take photos, which he could not produce.