A mine at dawn(Gallo Images)

A mine at dawn

Sergeant Busi Menoe said the matter was postponed until Thursday as some of the men had not yet met their legal representative.

Menoe said the 12 would be represented by the same lawyer.

The group allegedly approached the woman while she was walking home with a friend, hit her on the head with a knobkerrie, and raped her. They then dragged her to a shack where three other men raped her.

The woman's friend escaped unharmed.

The men, who police said were illegal miners from Lesotho, would remain in custody.