Alleged rapist appears in court
She states that she was instructed to undress, after which he took her to a bedroom.
LYDENBURG – A 47-year old male was arrested when he apparently raped a domestic worker on her first day on the job. The man was visiting his family from the Congo, where he works as a miner and shiftboss.
According to reports, his wife and daughter left for work the morning before the assault occurred. According to Capt Alfred Moela, Lydenburg SAPS spokesman, Maria Malatjie alleged that on October 14 she was picked up in town by her new employer, who then took her to his residence at a farm outside Lydenburg.
“Malatjie alleges that on her arrival the man told her what is expected of her, showed her how she should open the windows and where the groceries are kept. She said the employer then requested her to make tea for him. When taking that tea to him she noticed that he was watching pornography from his phone. She said she was scared and gave the tea to him, went out to give the groundsman his tea and sat outside. After a while, she went back to the house to do some cleaning.”
Moela said Malatjie alleged that while she was busy cleaning one of the bathrooms she felt something touching her waist. “When she turned around she saw that it was her employer. He had his boxer shorts around his knees.”
The man then apparently instructed her to hold his private parts. He also warned her not to scream or he will kill her. Moela said Malatjie stated that she was scared and she subsequently just kept quiet. “
She states that she was instructed to undress, after which he took her to a bedroom. She alleges that the man started kissing her all over and forcefully penetrated her.” Thereafter she went back to the bathroom and got dressed. Malatjie states that the man told her not to tell his wife and that he will pay her R500 for that day.
She asked the groundsman to open the gate for her and phoned a police officer she knew and explained the whole ordeal to him. After the phone call, the man took her to town where he withdrew the promised R500. She said that she only got into the car because she was scared.”
The man then apparently offered her the R500, but Malatjie refused. She stated that the man apologised for what had happened, promising that he would never do it again.
The victim opened a case of rape the same day and the suspect was arrested. The man appeared on a charge on rape and had his first court appearance in Lydenburg Magistrate’s Court on October 15 and his second on October 28. His next appearance will be on November 28.
