File
Eastern Cape police arrested seven suspects who went on a crime spree in Tsomo, setting a shop owner alight and gang-raping his assistant.
The suspects were arrested hours after the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday morning near Butterworth.
A spokesperson said the suspects, aged between 24 and 36, face charges of murder, arson, kidnapping and rape.
According to a statement the suspects accosted the two after midnight on Sunday while they were sleeping inside the shop.
They allegedly tied the shop owner’s hands, doused him petrol and set him alight.
Police said they also took turns raping the shop assistant, who was also kidnapped and taken to a house in Tsomo where she was eventually rescued.
The shop owner, who was rushed to a hospital in Butterworth, succumbed to his injuries.
The suspects are due to appear in court soon.
