Following the rape of a group of women filmmakers, protesters calling for an end to gender-based violence have gathered outside a South African court where more than 80 suspects are appearing.
The women, who range in age from 19 to 37, were attacked while filming a music video in Krugersdorp, a town west of Johannesburg.
A local newspaper was informed by one of the eight victims that a group of masked illegal miners gave young men orders to rape the women and rob them of their possessions.
After meeting some of the attack survivors, South African Police Minister Bheki Cele said he realized the effect the incident had on them:
- We were lucky to meet the families and the survivors
- What happened in Krugersdorp is just the shame of the nation.
- When you see those people and you realize… the destruction which is not temporary, some of those destructions are permanent with those kids
Charges against the suspects include attempted murder and illegal mining. However, it is still unknown if any have been accused of rape.