Rape accused has previous convictions

Simphiwe Cyprian Mkhize (25), the man accused of raping a 12-year-old, was denied bail when he appeared last week in the Dundee Magistrate’s Court.

The court found that Mr Mkhize has previous convictions and had previously supplied false identification details. He has two previous convictions of indecent assault (in 2005) and a charge of theft (in 2002) and a charge of possession of dagga (2000).

He also has a pending case of assault with intention to cause grievous bodily harm outstanding in the Dannhauser Magistrate’s Court. The investigating officer, Constable Buthelezi, informed the court that Mr Mkhize’s mother does not want him to get bail because she is afraid his life could be in danger because of all the allegations against her son. “The applicant has scars on his head due to the assaults he has been involved in,” Constable Buthelezi said.

Mr Mkhize lived with his mother and siblings in Nyanyadu before he was incarcerated. He claims that he was a self-employed builder and supports a young son who lives with his mother, from whom he, Mr Mkhize, separated from several years ago.

Mr Mkhize said that he was already employed by Qomkufa Security for two months and was never paid, before he was arrested. He also claims that he was assaulted by his supervisor before he was taken to the police.

“My supervisor took me with his girlfriend to the police. He threatened to put a bullet in my head if I said I work with him,” Mr Mkhize told the court. However the prosecutor said that Mr Ngcobo, the head of Qomkufa, denied these allegations stating that Mr Mkhize was at the office seeking employment at the time of his arrest.

On his arrival at the police station, the 12-year-old boy positively identified Mr Mkhize before he was taken into custody.

He will appear again on March 9. He is accused of attacking and raping the school boy near Browning Street last month.

The court is still waiting for the DNA result