Community protests bail application of accused rapist

The bail application of a man accused of raping a minor saw demonstrations outside the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court. The man (26) appeared in court on Tuesday, where women protested outside the building.

“It is alleged the man resided among the community in one of the informal settlements in Brakpan and was a trusted neighbour of the 10-year-old victim’s family,” said Constable Audrey Buthelezi from Brakpan SAPS corporate communications.

“Allegedly, the parents of the victim sent her to a cultural camp where they are taught discipline and the girls are checked to see if they are still virgins.”

Buthelezi explained it was during the virginity testing that the girl was found to be injured.

“They sent her back home, which was when the mother took her to hospital and a rape case was opened after the little girl narrated what had been happening to her for the past year,” she said.

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“The suspect was arrested immediately after a case was opened.”

The man was nabbed by police on May 23.

Buthelezi confirmed that the group of protesting women entered the court.

“They cited words of anger towards him and said bail should not be granted, and they no longer want him within their communities,” she added.

The case was postponed and the man returned to court on Thursday (yesterday), where he was denied bail.

He is expected back in court on July 5 and is currently being held at Boksburg Correctional Services.

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