Rape Slaying in South Africa Spurs Protest
- Share via
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Crowds of South Africans enraged by the gang rape and slaying of a 14-year-old girl demolished the house where the attack occurred and demonstrated Tuesday at a heavily guarded courthouse where two suspects appeared.
Valencia Farmer, who suffered 42 stab wounds and whose throat was slashed, crawled early Sunday to the door of the house where she had been left for dead and summoned help. Before dying in a hospital 20 hours later, she whispered the names of two of her assailants.
On Monday night, the people of Eerste River, a ramshackle township near Cape Town, went to the derelict house where the attack took place and tore down its walls.
The next day, about 100 people went to a courthouse where two suspects--apparently those named by the girl--appeared for a bail hearing. Police and soldiers held back the protesters, who demanded that the suspects be denied bail, the South African Press Assn. reported. The judge refused to release the two men.
A third suspect was arrested Tuesday, and police are looking for one or two more, authorities said.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
