Concern over increase in rapes

2011-10-31 07:19

Johannesburg - The gang rape and assault of a 17-year-old girl in Taung is one of an increasing number of rapes in the North West, the provincial human settlements department said on Monday.

"MEC Desbo Mohono is concerned about an increase in rape incidents as 3 586 rapes cases were reported in the province during the 2010/2011 financial year," spokesperson Lesiba Moses Kgwele said.

He said the cluster under which Taung fell had seen a 10% increase in rapes in the past year.

Mohono condemned the act and called on the community to assist in police investigations.

A girl was walking in Magogong Village in Taung on Friday afternoon when she was approached by a 21-year-old male acquaintance, Sergeant Kelebogile Moiloa said.

The acquaintance and five other men pointed a knife at her before raping her repeatedly.

Moiloa said one of the men allegedly went behind her back and cut her throat with a knife. He also tied her hands behind her back and to a tree.

The acquaintance was arrested on Saturday. He will appear in the Taung Magistrate's Court later on Monday.

No other arrests had been made.

- SAPA