A 30-year-old man was denied bai on Tuesaday. Photo: EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA/PEXELS
NPA: Stepfather who allegedly raped 11-year-old boy denied bail
‘The man from Tshitereke village in Vhembe District is alleged to have preyed on an 11-year-old boy and his mother,’ said the NPA.
A 30-year-old man was denied bai on Tuesaday. Photo: EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA/PEXELS
A 30-year-old man accused of raping a minor, along with several other charges, was denied bail by the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 25 January. The court decided that the accused could be a danger if he is released. The NPA and police welcomed the ruling.
STATE SUCCESSFULLY OPPOSES BAIL
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in Limpopo Mashudu Dzhangi said the accused appeared before the court on two counts of rape, sexual assault, five counts of child abuse and one count of assault with the intent to cause grievously bodily harm.
“The man from Tshitereke village in Vhembe District is alleged to have preyed on an 11-year-old boy and his mother,” said Dzhangi.
According to the NPA, the accused committed the offences between 2020 and 2021. This came to light on 21 November 2021 when the child told a relative about the alleged abuses. The child reportedly felt he could not tell his mother because she was also being violated by the accused.
“During his bail appearance, the man submitted an affidavit indicating that he would lose his job and suffer financial loss by spending time in custody while he is innocent,” said the NPA spokesperson.
The State opposed the bail application. Advocate Petronela Mudau led evidence from a witness who revealed that the accused was charged with assault GBH in August 2020 – the victim, in that case, was the boy’s mother.
“She was his girlfriend, pregnant with the accused’s child. The mother reconciled with the accused and the case was withdrawn,” said Dzhangi.
The witness also told the court that the accused would interfere with witnesses as he has access to their homes and they are afraid of him.
The State fears the accused might intimidate witnesses into not testifying against him.
Furthermore, it was revealed that the accused is in the employ of the Department of Basic Education – as an assistant teacher – and there was a likelihood that he could harm other children.
The Presiding Officer Magistrate Mukoma Maiwashe said the accused failed to prove that exceptional circumstances exist, which would warrant his release on bail and agreed that he could be dangerous if released.
“The NPA and Police condemn in the strongest possible terms, that the abuse of children and crimes against women and children will not be tolerated,” said Dzhangi.
The case is postponed until 28 February.
