Staff Reporter
What started off as a social gathering at a house in Rheederspark, Welkom, on Sunday turned bloody after the guests allegedly refused to leave when their hosts felt it was getting late and asked them to hit the road.
Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Sam Makhele said in a statement the couple’s daughter survived a rape attempt after the fracas broke out while their neighbour was raped by several men.
“It is alleged that four Lesotho males and the couple were having leisure time when the husband instructed them to leave as it was becoming late,” Makhele said, adding the incident happened around 7:30pm.
“An argument ensued between the guest males and the husband which led to the male suspects allegedly shooting the couple on the heads.”
The couple has been named as Marion Chongo, 51, and Joyce Ntemutse Duma, 38.
They both died on the scene.
Police say the men are believed to have pounced on the daughter of the deceased and undressed her in a bid to rape her but failed.
“They then kidnapped the deceased’s neighbour aged 29 who was also part of the gathering,” the police spokesperson said.
“She alleges that she was dragged to the bushes and raped by seven men who later released her.”
Welkom police have since launched a manhunt for the suspects who are believed to be armed and dangerous.
A case of murder, kidnapping and attempted rape and rape is now being investigated.
Meanwhile, police announced over the weekend that Bethulie police station in Xhariep district has been temporarily closed after one of its officers tested positive for COVID-19.
All communities being serviced by the police station have been advised to use a temporary service centre at 28 Buiten Street in Bethulie, where stock theft unit offices are located.
The temporary closure is to allow for the station to be decontaminated as the other officers are screened and tested.