The eight men suspected to be behind the rape of three female security officers in one of the KZN Transport Department’s premises in Durban stood no chance of evading the police.

In the early hours of Monday, the gunmen are alleged to have gained entry into the department’s Merebank premises, held the security guards hostage and stole state valuables.

Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda says the men, armed with firearms and knives, allegedly took turns in raping the three security guards.

He adds that since the crime was reported, the police have been on the trail of the suspects.

“They could not resist arrest or try to manoeuvre their way out because we cornered them. We found them in groups in different areas. The police have their eyes and ears on the ground through intelligence, so criminals can no longer do as they wish terrorising our communities,” explains Netshiunda.

The men are alleged to have robbed the department of equipment worth over R280 000.

“In the process, the eight suspects, who were reportedly armed with firearms and knives, allegedly took turns in raping the three security guards. The matter was reported to the police and on Tuesday afternoon, the suspects were identified, cornered and taken in for questioning. After the eight suspected robbers and rapists were positively identified during an identity parade, they were charged with business robbery and rape.”

The men, aged between 19 and 39, will appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court today.

LifeLine Pietermaritzburg executive director Sinikiwe Biyela says since South Africa is ‘not a safe country’, employers must consider putting certain measures in place to protect female employees. Biyela adds night shift work is more risky, especially for female employees.

“While one cannot guarantee safety of their night duty staff, measures like giving them wireless panic buttons that are linked to armed response security could go a long way as a security measure. Women should also be trained in self defense and paired with male security guards where possible. Sadly, it looks like this was a planned attack,” adds Biyela.

Department condemns incident

The South African Government News Agency reports the KZN Department of Transport is appalled at the incident.

Transport Community Safety and Liaison MEC Sipho Hlomuka assigned the head of department, Siboniso Mbhele, to urgently visit the site and to engage with other staff members who were traumatised.

After meeting with the office management and staff, Mbhele said the department will look closely at the issue of improving security in the department’s office

Mbhele added the incident will affect staff morale and seriously impact on service delivery.

The department within eThekwini has been the target of a criminal syndicate that attacks staff members at gunpoint, steal brush cutters and other equipment.

In another incident, a departmental grader was recovered in Camperdown.