UPDATE | 65 arrested following women’s rape, robbery at music video shoot in Krugersdorp

Police have arrested 65 people.

• Sixty-five suspects have been arrested following the rape of eight women who were also robbed along with others on the set of a music video in Krugersdorp.
• The shoot took place at a mining dump in West Village, Krugersdorp, on Thursday.
• Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili says the suspects were arrested for contravening the Immigration Act. 

Sixty-five suspects have been arrested after eight women were raped and robbed, along with other production crew members, on the set of a music video, in Krugersdorp, police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili said on Friday.

Muridili added the suspects were arrested for contravening the Immigration Act.

Two men were fatally shot after allegedly pointing firearms at police while one is receiving treatment for gunshot wounds. 

“Two unlicenced firearms, explosives as well as other items that belong to the victims have since been recovered,” she added.

Police are investigating 32 counts of rape and one of armed robbery.                        

Earlier, Muridili said a production crew was filming a music video in West Village on Thursday when the men attacked them. She added they first raped eight women before robbing them of their belongings.

According to an internal police report seen by News24, the group was filming at an old, unused mine when a group of 10 suspects – who wore blankets, balaclavas, and mining overalls – approached them.

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They fired shots in the air, searched the crew, and ordered them to lie down before signalling the other suspects who raped the women, who were all models, in nearby bushes.

According to the report, the men then robbed everyone on set of their clothes, cellphones, rings, passports, watches, handbags, cash, cameras and other valuables.

Police Minister Bheki Cele announced earlier three men had been arrested, while police were conducting searches in the area to find the other suspects. 

The area where the incident took place is a known to be frequented by illegal miners.

Earlier, President Cyril Ramaphosa referenced the incident during his speech at the ANC’s policy conference.

“This morning, we just heard of the horrible incident where a number of women in our country were abused.

“We have directed the minister of police and law enforcement agencies to immediately embark on this to make sure that the perpetrators of this crime are apprehended and dealt with. Comrade Bheki Cele has already been there, and we are following up on this horrible incident,” he said.