By REGINALD KANYANE
A Zimbabwean man (19) was arrested for allegedly raping his cousin sister (10). The mother of the alleged victim and the mother of the accused are siblings.
The NPA regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said the alleged victim had visited her aunt, where the accused also resides. Mahanjana further said during the night time on 13 April 2024, the alleged victim and the accused, slept on the floor, while the aunt slept on the bed in the same room.
“At about 11pm, after the aunt switched off the lights, she allegedly noticed movement on the floor, where the two were sleeping. The aunt then allegedly uncovered the two and she saw her son naked and the victim with no underwear.
“When she asked what was happening, the alleged victim told her that the accused raped her. The aunt then called the mother of the victim and told her what had happened and reported the matter to the police the following morning,” she said.
Mahanjana further said the accused was arrested on 14 April 2024, after he handed himself over in the presence of his mother and the mother of the victim. She added that in court, the accused denied committing the offence.
“Through his legal representative, the accused asked to be released on bail because he is still a school-going learner doing grade 11 at Oceans Private School. He also argued that his further incarceration will affect him negatively and he will miss writing his exams and will not be able to continue with his schooling.
“He further told the court that he intends to plead not guilty to the charges. However, the state prosecutor, Chris Maruma, opposed the accused release on bail and told the court that the accused was a flight risk because he was illegal in the country,” said Mahanjana.
She said furthermore, the accused is known to the victim and can therefore influence her to withdraw charges.
Mahanjana said the magistrate agreed with the state that the accused was a flight risk, therefore bail was denied. She said the matter was postponed to 3 June 2024, for further investigations.
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