Friday, 09 December 2011
Breakthrough arrest in Bay rape case
Police are rejoicing after their breakthrough arrest of the first of three alleged gang members involved in the shocking rape and robbery at a Meerensee holiday house. Thirty-four year-old Thulani Gumede, nicknamed ‘Number 5,’ was arrested in eSikhaleni and police believe they are hot on the heels of the other two suspects responsible for the brazen attack which sent shock waves through the close-knit community.
Richards Bay SAP and Business Against Crime joined forces and resources to intensify the manhunt. Two cell phones and a laptop belonging to the victims of the armed robbery have been recovered. The gang apprehended the visiting family from Vereeniging shortly after their arrival in Richards Bay and later assaulted and raped the mother at gunpoint in front of her children, one a young teenage boy.
They also robbed an elderly couple after gaining entry through their bedroom window, threatening the woman with rape and bodily harm. The seven victims were bound and locked up in the same room, where they later managed to escape and raise the alarm. The investigating officer spent the night with the traumatised victims after receiving the call-out in the early hours of the morning.
Car recovered
The woman’s black BMW, which was used as a getaway car, was recovered in eSikhaleni the following day.
Gumede appeared in the Richards Bay District Court on Monday and the matter was remanded until 12 December. He will remain in custody.
The investigating officer is currently preparing to oppose any bail application which may be brought by Gumede.
Armed robbery involving rape is a schedule six offence and considered extremely serious in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act.
The accused must be kept in custody without bail, pending trial, unless the defence can prove the existence of exceptional circumstances which cause his release to be considered as in the interest of justice. Meanwhile, according to the owners of an adjacent establishment, the house where the incident happened, situated on Davidson Lane, is a private residence with outbuildings converted into self-catering apartments.
They objected to the description ‘guest house,’ saying the incident negatively influenced their bookings and reputation.
According to other sources, the residence belongs to an American.
The investigation continues.