By Theckla Gunga – EM TV News, Port Moresby
Waigani Police have identified two suspects in relation to the gang rape of four women in Port Moresby on January 1.
Waigani Police Station Commander, Inspector Micah Yosman, said over 40 men are believed to be involved in the rape and police are still gathering information.
It is believe the perpetrators reside in Morata, the same area where the incident occurred.
A formal investigation is yet to commerce, and despite three of the female victims showing up at the Waigani Police Station at 10am this morning, there was no positive feedback on the progress of the investigation.
At the moment, police only have initial statements collected from the victims and their families.
“The community has responded positively in terms of assisting police with information. But no arrests were made as yet,” Inspector Yosman said.
The incident occurred on the morning of January 1 this year. According to the victims, over 40 men broke into their houses and raped the four women.
Esther Andy, a 23-year-old mother of one was asleep when the perpetrators kicked her door down and grabbed her.
She was punched in her right eye and repeatedly raped by at least 10 men.
The other victims include a 15-year-old girl, and an elderly woman believed to be in her 50s.
All victims are from Erave in the Southern Highlands.
This morning, over 300 community members from Morata fronted up at the Waigani station to get an update on the police investigations.
The Founder of Women in Business, and a strong supporter of women issues in Port Moresby Janet Sape, and members of the National Capital District Council of Women, joined the group at Waigani.
Once enough information on the incident is collected, the matter will be handed over to investigations at the Criminal Investigations Division and Sexual Offences Squad to commerce formal investigations.
The victims have received medical treatment but are still traumatised.
Meanwhile, NCD Governor, Powers Parkop, has condemned the rape, and described the incident as animalistic.
