Mandela’s grandson granted bail

Grandson of the late former president Nelson Mandela,  appeared at the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court on 25 August to resume his bail application.

He was accused of allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl at a restaurant in Greenside on 7 August. The accused has been in police custody since his arrest on 15 August. The 24-year-old was granted R7 000 bail.

During the accused’s bail application process, some of the Mandela family members came to show their support in court. The defence told the court that the accused asked to be tried like a normal person and not receive special treatment. The defence lawyer presented affidavits to the court and argued that the girl’s age is 16-years-old and not 15. She also presented an affidavit from an eye witness who claims to have seen the two being intimate.

The accused has not denied having sex, but he maintains that it was consensual sex. However, Judge Pieter du Plessis highlighted that bail applications were not concerned with the guilt or innocence of the accused. After granting him bail, the Magistrate explained the bail conditions to the accused. He told the accused to submit his travel documents immediately – he also said the accused should remain a resident at the address he provided to the court. The accused was also warned not to communicate with any of the State witnesses.

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