Child sex slave case postponed again
“We are rather disappointed that this case keeps being postponed”.
The case of a 36-year-old Nigerian man accused of turning a 12-year-old into a sex slave has been postponed for the third time.
Augustine Omini Obono (36) briefly appeared yet again in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Monday in a courtroom filled by the ANC Women’s League (ANCWL), the Democratic Alliance’s Women Network (Dawn) and the Mamelodi Women in Deeds (Mawids).
And unlike last week where the women called Obono derogotary names, this time they remained largely quiet.
In the past, the media were barred from making any footage such as photos or videos of Obono but this allowed this week.
Obono’s lawyer had informed the court last week that he would no longer be representing him as he had not paid his legal fees.
Obono then requested for a Legal Aid lawyer, Donald Du Plessis who told the court that he was briefed on the case but needed to verify Obono’s residential address before the case could proceed.
The state then asked a postponement to Thursday 22 December, to which magistrate Lesetja Mphahlele agreed.
Also read: Man charged for keeping minor as sex slave
Obono is facing charges of human trafficking, kidnapping and statutory rape.
The 12-year-old allegedly left home in September to meet up with friends in Silverton, There, among her friends was also someone she had not met before. It was this person who allegedly took her for a sleepover at a Sunnyside flat.
The following day, the girl allegedly woke up next to Obono with her new friend gone.
Obono allegedly repeatedly raped the girl and forced her into prostitution, the girl was also allegedly beaten numerous times for failing to attract men to sleep with her in exchange for money.
The girl was allegedly seen by passersby who who helped her escape and report the case to the Sunnyside police.
Obono was arrested the following day, now three weeks ago.
When court adjourned, the ANCWL’s Tshwane secretary Gogo Ndlovana briefed the media on the case.
“Comrades, we all know that the case has been postponed to 22 December. Let us go out and mobilise support,” said Ndlovana.
She added that the Tshwane ANCWL would brief the ANCWL’s provincial leadership on their next action which included marching to Obono’s residence and asking the Justice department to oppose bail.
Also read: UPDATE: Foreigner charged with rape
“We already have 250 signatures in our petition including some from men who have shown their support. We were informed by opposition parties that this number is insufficient and therefore we ought to get more signatures,” said Ndlovana.
DA national spokesperson Refiloe Ntsekhe said she was disappointed by the postponement of the case but would allow the courts to do their work.
“We are rather disappointed that this case keeps being postponed as it brings back pain to the child’s family but we will allow the law to take its course,” said Ntsekhe.
She added that Dawn would not participate in the ANCWL’s march to Obono’s residence as this may be seen as interfering with the courts.
“We not be marching to the accused’s flat because he has not yet been found guilty, doing so will only incite violence and interfere with the court’s role, which is to bring justice,” she said.
Charlotte Masango from MAWITS said she was also saddened by the postponement.
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