Justice for minor: Raphael Martin's trial progresses after five-year battle

The family of a minor who was allegedly raped by former Mitchells Plain sub-council manager Raphael Martin is hopeful the case will come to an end this after a long five year battle.

The trial against Raphael Martin continued at Mitchells Plain Regional Court on Thursday as the victim’s cross-examination concluded, leaving her mother proud for speaking out.

Martin faces charges of sexual assault, sexual penetration, rape, attempted rape and sexual violation of a minor girl and was busted in 2020 after three years of assaults when the brave girl from Strandfontein broke her silence.

The proceedings were heard in camera as the rapes started when she was nine years old. The last time the former uMkhonto weSizwe comrade allegedly sexually assaulted her was before Father’s Day June 16, 2020.

The case sparked widespread outrage when it was revealed that Martin was also allegedly found in possession of child porn as the City of Cape Town also investigated his conduct.

Martin was sent to prison where officials served a notice on him for a disciplinary hearing.

He was later released on R1 000 bail and fired by the municipality. 

The court heard testimony from the victim’s sister and cross-examination by the defence will continue on November 7.

The victim’s mother said that her voice is for all rape victims that could not fight for justice and who are ashamed, afraid and hurt.

She says: “The aim is to conclude the case by the end of the year, but if not then early next. But it is coming to an end and I know justice will prevail. It is not in our time it is in God’s time.

“He alone knows the difficulties and struggles that we as a family went through with this case that has been going on since 2020 and it's now the end of 2025 again, it's been five years now.

“But we are pushing through, we are not going to let anything hold us back, because her voice is for everybody as well that has given up and couldn’t continue.”

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