Durban — The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development (DSD) has called on the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court not to grant bail to a man accused of rape.
The 21-year-old accused, charged with rape and kidnapping of a 12-year-old girl, made a bail application during a brief court appearance on Wednesday.
The matter was initially adjourned to January for further investigation as DNA results as well as a ballistics report were outstanding. The accused instructed his Legal Aid attorney M Buthelezi to apply for bail.
The court adjourned the matter to later this month for the bail hearing. The man also faces a charge of pointing a firearm as well as being in possession of a 9mm pistol without a licence, permit, or authorisation in terms of the Firearms Control Act.
It is alleged that he pointed a firearm at the rape victim on October 20 in Molweni. He allegedly forcefully took the child from the road to his room where she was locked up.
The State alleges that the accused allegedly raped the child more than once. The accused was arrested on October 24.
The DSD spokesperson Mhlaba Memela said: “These kinds of people need to be kept in prison after violating the rights of a child. It is very disturbing that we still have people who abuse children in this province regardless of campaigns led by the government and different stakeholders to promote the protection of children.”
Memela said the department was shocked and saddened by this incident and would play its role in support of the family.
“We urge communities not to be silent as children continue to be abused. We need to expose those involved in this evil act of abuse of children,” said Memela when asked for comment after court proceedings.
In a separate rape matter, a 35-year-old Dassenhoek man charged with the alleged rape of his 6-year-old child abandoned his bail application.
According to the State, the child victim was also assaulted with grievous bodily harm caused.
The State and his counsel were both prepared to have the investigating officer take the stand and testify, but the man abandoned his bail application.
State prosecutor Nomcebo Xulu said the matter was adjourned to next year for further investigation as a forensic social worker report as well as DNA results were outstanding.
Daily News