A case of murder and assault is being investigated against a rape victim and her boyfriend after they took the law into their own hands.

“The safety of communities is of paramount importance, therefore the police would like to urge communities rather to report crime immediately as opposed to first conducting investigations on their own. Such conduct may result in dire consequences for the victim,” said police spokesperson Lt.Col. Priscilla Naidu.

Last Sunday at about 03:00, a 28 year old Kwanobuhle woman was on her way home when she was allegedly approached by two unknown men who demanded her cell phone. The woman had hidden the cell phone in her pants.

“The two men forcibly took her to a semi built house and were on their way accompanied by a third man. The woman alleged that while at this house, all three men raped her. They then robbed her of the cell phone, watch and shoes. Two suspects left while the other suspect took the woman to his house where he again raped her,” said Lt.Col. Naidu.

The man apparently fell asleep and the woman fled and reported the incident to her boyfriend. They returned to the house and severely assaulted the 33 year old rape suspect. “He was then taken by the couple to the house of the second suspect whom they also assaulted and stabbed. Both men were then dumped in an open field in KwaNobuhle. The couple then went to the police station to report the rape,” said Lt.Col. Naidu.

During the investigation, the couple took police to where they had dumped the injured suspects. An ambulance was summoned and the suspects were taken to Livingstone Hospital in Port Elizabeth. Hours later, one suspect died while the other was treated and released into police custody.

The third suspect is evading police.

The couple was arrested.