OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Thursday 7.00pm.
THREE Swiss women tourists leaving the Umfolozi game reserve on Wednesday afternoon were attacked and abducted by five men, and two of them gang-raped.
According to KwaZulu-Natal police spokesman, the women, travelling in a hired car, were fired upon 200m from the gate of the reserve around 3pm, forcing them to stop. The five suspects approached them and dragged two of them into the bush where they were raped on the spot.
The men then forced them back into the car, and drove off with them. They were eventually dropped off around 50km away, on the Mahlabatini road near Ulundi at 11pm, having been repeatedly raped. They then walked along the main until being spotted by a motorist early in the morning, who notified the police.
Of the three, all in their 30s, only two were raped. They were examined by the district surgeon on Thursday, and were expected to give statements.
Meanwhile, a wide-ranging search for the suspects has been launched by police in the area.
Background on crime and crimes against women