Pretoria – An alleged rapist in the “Modimolle monster” trial did not go to the police because he was afraid he would be framed, the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria heard on Monday.

Sello Mphaka believed he would be framed for the mutilation of Johan Kotzé’s wife, Ina Bonnette, and the murder of his stepson, Conrad.

Mphaka reiterated his evidence – that he had not raped Bonnette because he could not get an erection, never saw Kotzé torturing her and had nothing to do with her son’s murder.

“The woman knows very well that I did not rape her… He [Kotzé] was there on 3 January, but I did not rape her,” he said.

According to Mphaka, Kotzé was a “good man” earlier in the day but became angry.

The court heard that Kotzé threatened to kill his co-accused when Mphaka and Pieta Mohlake refused to co-operate with his plan for them to have sex with his wife.

“It surprised and frightened me. He had a different face. I don’t know how to explain it,” said Mphaka.

Kotzé, Andries Sithole, Mohlake and Mphaka all denied guilt to charges of kidnapping, raping and attempting to murder Bonnette and murdering her 19-year-old son, in Kotzé’s Modimolle home on 3 January 2012.

During cross-examination, Mphaka testified that he and Mohlake initially wanted to go to the police, but Sithole had told them Kotzé was rich and well-known in the area, knew the police and would blame them.

“He said it had nothing to do with us. It was something between the lovers [ Kotzé and Bonnette],” he said.

Mphaka said he had an argument with Sithole, who he suspected of working with Kotzé and being aware of the plan to attack Bonnette.

Asked repeatedly why he did not go to the police, Mphaka gave a number of reasons, including that he was afraid of Kotzé and the police.

Mphaka said he went to Kotzé’s house to work and not to steal or rape. He left without any payment for the work he did and without taking anything from Kotzé’s house.

Kotzé’s advocate, Piet Greyling, questioned Mphaka about discrepancies in his evidence and accused him of fabricating his version of events.

The trial continues.

– SAPA