Man who allegedly raped stepdaughter, still out on bail
"It has been four long years, and we are devastated by the fact that he is still freely roaming the streets of Eersterust."
A 37-year-old man from Eersterust, who allegedly raped his 11-year-old stepdaughter on various occasions, four years ago, appeared in the Pretoria magistrate’s court on Monday, April 4.
The man, who cannot be named due to the protection of the now 15-year-old’s identity, testified to raping his stepdaughter from late May until early 2019 while the mother was at work.
According to the family, he was granted bail of R2 000 in September last year.
Mother of the victim said that he (the man who raped her daughter) has to pay for what he has done.
“Today (Monday) the case proceeded where the state and the defense laid their final submissions.
“It has been four long years, and we are devastated by the fact that he is still freely roaming the streets of Eersterust,” she said.
It is unclear why the case was only being prosecuted at this stage.
It is alleged that the man started violating the child from a young age.
“This continued until my daughter broke down at her school in May in 2019, where she informed her teacher of what was happening to her at home. The school then informed her stepfather and myself of what was going on,” she said.
The assault happened until the child began to understand that the stepfather was actually hurting her.
“I took her to the clinic and we opened a rape case at Eersterust police station.
“She was examined at the Thuthuzela rape crisis centre.
“Her stepfather never returned home after the phone call from the school. He, however, handed himself over to the police three months after the case was opened,” she said.
She added that since the first appearance, it has been an emotional rollercoaster.
“We have been through so much pain and suffering.
“Our lives will never be the same again. It has been thrown upside down. Even if justice will prevail, our lives will never be the same again,” the mother said.
The community is actively fighting for justice for the 15-year-old and believes it will eventually be served on the next court date, on July 1.
Voice it in Action’s president, Kgothatso Moloto said the lies are catching up with the accused and indeed it’s only a matter of time.
“We have been involved with this case since the beginning and we will keep on supporting the family until justice will prevail. We will not stop until #JusticeFor11YearOld EersterustRapeVictim is achieved.
“Get your reminders and dates in order and let’s fill up the court,” he said.
At the time of publication, the Gauteng division of the National Prosecuting Authority are yet to respond as to why the case have been delayed since the alleged rapist’s first court appearance.
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