Two public officials and a third suspect in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region have been detained and removed from their posts for the alleged sexual assault of two women, local authorities said on Tuesday.

The Baise city government said in a statement that the Lingyun county public security bureau launched an investigation after receiving a report from the public.

Due to the case involving public officials, the Baise city Party committee and city government established a joint investigation team to conduct a probe, and the regional public security department has sent staff to guide the investigation.

Initial investigations showed that two Lingyun?county officials, surnamed La and Nong, are suspected of sexually assaulting two women after they became intoxicated during a dinner. The third suspect, surnamed Xie, is also accused of involvement in the crime.

The statement added that the three suspects, who are Party members and public officials, have seriously violated Party discipline and the law. The case is of a vile nature and has had a terrible impact. The Baise city Party committee and government will never tolerate any illegal activities involving Party members and public officials, and will resolutely punish the violators.