9 youths appear for rape
2013-02-13 20:53
Bloemfontein - Nine youths, including five minors,
appeared in the Heilbron Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday in connection with the
gang rape of a 24-year-old woman, Free State police said.
Police spokesperson Peter Kareli said the case was
postponed until next Friday, when four of them were expected to apply for bail.
The five minors had been released into the custody of
their guardians while preliminary investigations were done.
They would appear on Friday, and again next Friday with
the others.
The youths, aged between 15 and 19, were arrested after
an attack on a couple returning from a family gathering in Phiritona, Heilbron,
on Sunday.
A group of boys assaulted them, demanding money and
cellphones.
The woman’s husband escaped and ran for help.
The police were contacted and a search for the woman was
begun.
Kareli said the woman was later found near an open field.
She said she had been taken to a quarry and repeatedly
raped by the youths.
- SAPA
