Activists and leadership of the Mtwalume Ward 20 Women’s Organisation protested outside the Umzumbe Magistrate’s Court in KZN this morning to demand that a 46-year-old man be denied bail.

The man is accused of the rape of more than five teenage boys in the community.

He is an ex-convict who was previously sentenced to 35 years’ imprisonment for rape in another area where he lived, but has been out on parole since April 2020.

When he took the stand, he showed no remorse, merely staring at the women carrying the placards in court, and his partner, who was seated silently next to the women.

This was his third appearance for a formal bail application, which he chose to abandon, according to his legal representation.

Nombuso Sibisi, the founder of the women’s organisation, said she was grateful that investigations on the case are continuing and that he abandoned his bail application, which was accepted by the court. Statements from witnesses are still pending.

“One of the boys is known to me and when I heard about it I met the family and confirmed it. However, a case was not opened as the family feared for their lives as the accused threatened to kill the boys,” said Sibisi.

She said on the evening of September 9, the accused knocked on her door, asking for one of the boys.

“He demanded that I open up so he could search my house. As a woman, fearing for my life, I opened the door and he looked in all the rooms and found that the teen was not there.

“On the same night I received a call from a friend alerting me that he had been arrested and charged for the rape of the same teen he was looking for,” Sibisi explained.

She said this has been going on for too long and it was time for the women in the community to voice their concerns and demand that this man not get bail or be able to return to the community.

She questioned why this man, on his release, moved to their community.

“We hope that justice is served, especially for the innocent boys who have had to leave their homes because of this man,” Sibisi concluded.

Investigations are continuing and the man remains in police custody. His next court appearance is on October 18.