Alleged eNseleni gang rape leader in court

The man accused of leading a gang of three that raped a 13-year-old girl in eNseleni three years ago was refused bail last Wednesday.

Dumsani Goodwill Msweli will remain in police custody until his next appearance at Empangeni Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 28 March.

He is accused of raping the minor in KwaMasibane Village in 2020, and was arrested and charged in October 2021.

This is one of several bail applications made by Msweli throughout the court case, which has been marred by delays.

During his first appearance, he told the court he was suffering from cancer of the bladder, and previously suffered from TB, requiring him to take traditional medicine from a healer.

“I’m a weak person. There will be no attempts to evade the trial if I go out. I’m very weak,” he begged the court during proceedings in November 2021.

However, he has been denied bail despite his numerous attempts.

Msweli was identified by the teenage victim as the neighbour who forced her into his room and raped her before asking his two friends to join in.

According to the victim’s statement, she was walking past Msweli’s house when he called her to the room.

When she refused, Msweli allegedly instructed two men with him to grab her and drag her inside the house where they forcefully undressed her before raping her multiple times.

She said they threatened to harm her if she told anyone, and she obeyed.

However, upon visiting a traditional healer, the incident came to light when her grandfather was instructed to ask the victim what had happened.

When questioned, she broke down and told them what had happened with her ‘neighbour’.

She was sent to the doctor for a medical examination and a case was opened.

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