JOURNALIST’S ALLEGED RAPISTS IN COURT

SIX youths were remanded in custody after a brief court appearance in the Johannesburg Regional Court on Friday in connection with the gang rape of a Brazilian journalist at Bruma Lake. The youths were described by the court as “destitute children” who lived in a derelict flat in downtown Johannesburg. The accused — aged mostly between 15 and 16 — elected to conduct their own defence. Accused number four — who cannot be named because he is under 18 years old — told the court: “Not everyone here was present at the incident.” He hastily added: “The people who committed the offence were left alone.” His testimony prompted a quarrel among the other accused. The case was postponed until August 3.