Accused’s bail application set to create an uproar
Should the requisition application be approved, it would mean that the suspect would appear in court without the knowledge of the victim's family and the public.
A large crowd is expected to protest outside the Barberton Magistrate’s Court today (Wednesday, November 18) to oppose the bail application of a rape suspect accused of assaulting a minor.
Local residents who are fed up with rape cases, led by the ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) in the Umjindi subregion, will picket peacefully outside the court opposing Sizwe Yende’s (28) bail.
Yende of Spearville in Emjindini is set to appear in the court after allegedly raping a three-year-old girl.
During his previous court appearance on October 21, the benches were packed with community members. Magistrate Thulisile Mthethwa postponed the case, heeding Yende’s state Legal Aid attorney Moloko Molomo’s request to do so.
The interest that was shown by the ANCWL was reported to have placed pressure on Molomo to request postponement.
This publication later learnt from a reliable source that Molomo might apply for a requisition for Yende to reappear before the set date today.
Should the requisition application be approved, it would mean that the suspect would appear in court without the knowledge of the victim’s family and the public.
However, it is not known whether Molomo did apply for a requisition and/or if the court dismissed it. Yende is still incarcerated.
Elizabeth Gecelo-Mkhabela of the ANCWL urged people to join them in the picket.
“We will convene at the train open space near by the TVET College Barberton Campus at 08:00. From there we will proceed with a march to the court. We want to send a bold statement that we don’t want rapists and criminals in our communities,” said Gecelo-Mkhabela.
