By Zuko Komisa
The 14 men accused of attacking a music crew in Krugersdorp have had their charges of rape, sexual assault, and robbery withdrawn.
The Krugersdorp Magistrates Court found the suspects not guilty on all counts of rape, sexual assault, and robbery with aggravating circumstances on Thursday morning.
It is generally accepted that the charges were dropped due to a lack of evidence, including some DNA results that did not allow for a direct connection between the suspects and the crime.
Also Read: e-Tolls are a thing of the past as government takes on R47 billion debt
The accused illegal miners remained in jail, according to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and would now only be charged with breaking the Immigration Act.
“The decision to withdraw all the mentioned charges was informed by the outcome of the DNA results which excluded all the accused as well as a consultation process that the NPA had with all the complainants in the matter,” the NPA’s Phindi Mjonondwane said.
Eight women were sexually assaulted in July at a disused mine site in West Village while they were being filmed for a music video.



