Eight men nabbed for Department of Transport robbery and rape of security guards
The men, aged between 19 and 39, appeared in the Durban Magistrates Court, last week. With the 16 Days of Activism campaign underway, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport was appalled after hearing about the horrific incident.
Eight men were arrested by police, a day after they allegedly stole equipment worth over R280, 000, and raped three female security guards at the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport offices in Merebank.
The horrific incident occurred in the early hours of the morning, last Monday. Provincial police spokesperson, Col Robert Netshiunda, said the perpetrators allegedly gained entry inside the premises held the security guards hostage and helped themselves to valuables belonging to the state.
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“In the process, the eight men, who were reportedly armed with firearms and knives, allegedly took turns in raping the three security guards. The matter was reported to the police last Tuesday, and the accused were identified, cornered and taken in for questioning. After the eight robbers and rapists were positively identified during an identity parade, they were charged with business robbery and rape,” he said.
The men, aged between 19 and 39, appeared in the Durban Magistrates Court, last week. With the 16 Days of Activism campaign underway, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport was appalled after hearing about the horrific incident.
The MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Sipho Hlomuka, then assigned the head of the department, Siboniso Mbhele, to urgently visit the site and to engage with other staff members, who were still traumatised.
After meeting with the office management and staff, Mbhele said the department would look closely at the issue of improving security in the offices and urged the police to move with speed in arresting the criminals.
“Our staff are in fear after this incident. This will affect the morale and seriously impact service delivery. The cruelty by these criminals against female security officers is unacceptable. Crime against women must be condemned by all of us, worse during such a critical campaign of no violence against women and children. We appeal to the police to activate a high-level investigating team and soon bring these heartless criminals to book. We are also addressing the security improvement in our premises to protect staff and our equipment. We appeal to members of the community to work with the police in reporting anyone who is selling departmental equipment,” said Mbhele.
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He added that the department has arranged for psycho-social services to assist the staff members at the centre to be able to continue with their daily duties.
The female staff have been taken in for medical examination and cases have been opened with the police. The investigating team also visited the departments’ offices to initiate the investigation and is giving this case a high priority.
