IN a case that has attracted much hostility from Mtubatuba communities and support from provincial political figureheads, the bail hearing of the man accused of raping his mother drew crowds of protesters opposing bail.
Originally scheduled for Tuesday, the bail hearing of Mkhombeni Sithole (58), who is alleged to have raped his mother on an ongoing basis, was postponed to Friday morning.
Community members, including anti-rape activist Jan Mabuyakhulu, arrived by the bus load carrying placards saying ‘human rights don’t end at 60’ and ‘protect senior citizens, do not abuse them’.
Sithole’s mother died just two days after he was arrested, after the final incident of rape was reported by a Community Policing Forum (CPF) member to Mtubatuba SAPS.
Mtubatuba Station Commander has ordered an inquest into the victim’s cause of death, however, this is yet to be determined.
Showing support for the better treatment of women and protection of senior citizens, KZN’s First Lady, Thembeka Mchunu, was present at the bail hearing, along with uMkhanyakude District’s First Lady Aurelia Vilane and uMkhanyakude District Speaker and Secretary of the ANC Women’s League Hlengiwe Mavimbela.
Sithole was denied bail on Friday at Mtubatuba Magistrate’s Court and his case was postponed to 2 June pending further investigation.
‘We are very happy he did not get bail and we will all be there for the next court date,’ said Mabuyakhulu on behalf of the many community members present on Friday.
@TamlynJolly
