JOHANNESBURG, Oct 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Fourteen illegal miners in South Africa have been cleared of rape charges after DNA evidence failed to link them to the crime.
In July, eight women were attacked by dozens of men while they were filming a music video near an abandoned mine outside Johannesburg.
Reports of the attack rocked South Africa and led to violent protests and threats against undocumented migrants.
Police say they will keep investigating to bring the offenders to justice.
South Africa has one of the world’s highest reported rape rates, but convictions remain low.
The attack on models and the music video crew renewed calls for authorities to do more to tackle gender-based violence – but many will now see the dropped charges as another failure with regard to sexual assault victims.
The 14 men were taken into custody and charged after some of the victims pointed them out during a police line-up.
However, a spokesperson from South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said there was “insufficient evidence to continue with the case”.
Although the 14 men have been cleared of sexual violence and robbery charges, the NPA said they would still be charged with contravening the Immigration Act. — NNN-AGENCIES
