Rape of 11-year-old: Investigating officer unsure when sibling will return to SA
The girl was allegedly raped by the same man at six and 11.
As the 28-year-old man accused of raping and impregnating an 11-year-old girl resumed his bail application in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on June 3, Warrant Officer Simon Modise was once again grilled by the defence.
In continuing his cross-examination of Modise, who is the investigating officer in the matter, defence attorney Frik van Rensburg questioned him about the victim’s sister.
The court heard in a previous sitting that in 2019, the minor’s sister lived in a communal property with the accused, a family friend.
It is alleged that the child was first raped by the suspect that year, details of which only came to light after she became pregnant in December last year, allegedly from another rape by the same man.
Modise previously testified that the incident happened when the victim’s sister instructed her to share a room with the man in the communal property they were sharing.
The sister, who lives in Uganda, has not yet provided her statement.
Van Rensburg quizzed Modise about when the sister would be returning to South Africa to issue a statement about the alleged incident.
Modise said: “At the time, the mother said she would come to South Africa, but I can’t remember the date that the mother told me.”
Van Rensburg then asked Modise if he had a problem with his memory, to which he responded he didn’t.
“You and the mother seem to have had some very serious conversations about some pertinent issues, however initially you denied this.
“And all of a sudden you’re telling me you don’t remember what the mother told you. If you don’t have a problem with your memory, tell us what the mother said, please.”
Modise said the mother didn’t know when the daughter would come to South Africa and that he wouldn’t be able to get a statement if she didn’t come back.
Van Rensburg argued that Modise’s circumstantial evidence is insufficient for the court to rely upon.
The matter was postponed to June 9.
Also Read: WATCH: Mom speaks about daughter’s rape ordeal
Also Read: WATCH: Rape of 11-year-old: Bail application to resume on May 28
