Alleged rapist of autistic teenager granted R3 000 bail in Tembisa court

The Tembisa Magistrate’s Court infuriated some members of the community on Tuesday after it postponed a case involving the alleged rape of an autistic teenager.

Tembisa Self-Help Association for the Disabled (T-Shad) beneficiary Bongani Mahlobo said the disabled community and its sympathisers are disgruntled with the justice system for letting the accused out on R3 000 bail.

“The rape of a child with autism (19) took place on September 26, 2018, and the accused was arrested on September 27, 2018.

“He remained in custody until his first court appearance on October 15, 2018, where he immediately made a bail application, which was denied, and the case was postponed to October 17, 2018.

“The case was postponed again to October 19, 2018, and again bail was denied.

“All this time the accused remained in custody and the case was continually postponed until January 7, 2019, when the accused was suddenly granted bail of R3 000,” Mahlobo said.

He said people living with a disability in the community are appalled by the court’s decision.

“Why was the bail condition reconsidered?

“The bail amount is too low and the accused is walking the streets, putting the life of the disabled victim at risk.

“Even though it is every person’s right to apply for bail, we feel the magistrate did not consider the safety of the vulnerable victims living with disabilities,” Mahlobo added.

He called on Tembisans and civil society organisations to join hands with the disabled community in fighting to win the case.

“We appeal to residents to help us in the fight because we are also community members and need protection from the community,” Mahlobo said.

Mahlobo blamed the media for keeping quiet and not giving coverage to a rape case involving a disabled child.

He said the media’s silence will help criminals perpetuate such crimes because people are not being made aware of them.

The trial will resume on April 9.