Gauteng Premier, Nomvula Mokonyane, has heaped praise on the police who helped find the Soweto teenager allegedly gang-raped by a group of men who also recorded the incident.
The 16-year old girl, allegedly with mental disability, was found earlier today in Soweto.
“We commend the police for acting swiftly not only in apprehending the suspects who allegedly committed this heinous crime but also in finding this young girl,” the Gauteng Premier said.
In the same breath, Premier Mokonyane condemned the alleged gang-rape of the teenager and called on the community to work with the police to help identify any other person involved in this crime.
Mokonyane added that finding the girl was crucial as it would help her receive the required medical attention and counselling.
“As a mother, I am more than disappointed and repulsed that some of the alleged rapists are mere youngsters but still had the guts to record their revolting actions and distribute the video to the public as if they lived in a lawless country.
“This shows that they have scant regard for both the law and human rights. Their behaviour amounts to a total disrespect of our nation and it is for this reason that I urge the police to handle this investigation with great diligence so that these culprits could, in the end, feel the full wrath of the law,” she said.
“The incident should also serve as a lesson to our communities that residents should approach law enforcement agencies whenever they see such crimes - before they become viral. Our communities should also be aware of the Sexual Offences Act which makes it illegal to distribute child pornography,” she added.
“Lastly, we must also applaud the seriousness with which some of the media reacted to this incident as this has consequently led to the arrest of the suspects. It is through such vigilance, working together and our intolerance towards any form of crime that we can create safer communities within our province,” she said.
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