A 39-year-old man, who tried to evade arrest for allegedly raping his landlord’s daughters, could not avoid the prison cells today, December 19.

His defence failed to prove the existence of exceptional circumstances during his bail application in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court.

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The accused hid under a blanket in the ceiling of his mother’s home before police arrested him on December 4.

He faces charges of raping 11- and 6-year-old siblings.

Additional charges involving their younger sister (4) may be added, pending a report from the social worker attending to her case.

In his judgement, Magistrate Patrick Morris stated that the charge was a Schedule 6 offence and that the applicant could only afford R1 000 bail.

He also acknowledged that the accused’s registered address is in KaMagugu, that he worked as a mechanic, and that he is a father of three.

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Morris rejected the defence’s submission that the accused was not a flight risk on the grounds that he had no assets or family members outside the country.

He said the accused lied and the court is aware that he has a cousin who resides in Mozambique and a friend who lives on a White River farm.

“You should not lie in this court, or you will face an additional charge,” warned the magistrate.

He further stated that the fact that the accused has elderly parents in need of financial support was not a justifiable reason for bail.

“Your parents are old and should surely get a pension, and your sister is there to look after them,” he said.

Morris discredited the accused’s affidavit statement that he would not intimidate witnesses or evade trial.

The prosecution disclosed that, during his application, the accused contacted the complainant with a request to withdraw the case, and also went to the victims’ school to gift them with sweets, flowers and money in return for their silence.

Morris said these actions showed that the applicant was indeed trying to evade trial.

He concluded that it is the court’s duty to guarantee the children’s safety.

As the accused had already ‘intimidated’ them, he not only denied bail but refused it.

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The victims’ mother and supporters were emotional when Morris shared his judgment.

Posters with #NoBail were visible in court, and the victims’ mother told Lowvelder she was relieved.

His family was not present in court.

The case was postponed to January 29, 2026 for further investigation.