Vigilantism linked to gang rape syndicate murders in Dunoon

Crime scene investigators comb the scene where four bodies were found along the N7.

Four people were found burned beyond recognition in Dunoon, with a ward councillor saying the shocking incident is allegedly linked to a group accused of raping women in the area.

The bodies were discovered on Sunday in an open field next to the N7 off-ramp on Malibongwe Drive.

Milnerton police were called to the scene, where they found the remains of four people.

Western Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa confirmed that the victims had been burned beyond recognition.

“Determinations were made based on the crime scene that tyres were used to set the victims alight. The circumstances surrounding the crime incident remain unclear and the motive is yet to be determined.

“A murder docket was opened for investigation by serious violent crime unit detectives,” Potelwa said.

But Dunoon ward councillor Bulelwa Mayende said residents believe the killings are linked to allegations of a gang rape in the community.

She said reports of women being targeted by unknown men had been circulating in the area since June.

“The circumstances surrounding the incident are alleged to be linked to a gang rape.

“A syndicate has been operating in the community of Dunoon ever since 15 June, which is the first time I have heard of such an incident in which a woman was gang-raped. It has been ongoing since then.

“I think that is where the residents have decided to take it upon themselves, which we do not condone.

“It is alleged that the four men who were torched were suspects of the crime that was committed, but as a ward councillor, I cannot confirm that these four are indeed linked to the gang rape, which is alleged to have happened, but we are waiting on law enforcement agencies to tell us what has transpired on the identification on the four men who were burned on Sunday.

“The men have not yet been identified by the families as they are burned beyond recognition.” Mayende explained.