The Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday denied bail to a 42-year-old man after he allegedly raped his eight-year-old stepdaughter.

According to National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, the accused and the mother of the victim are in a relationship and were staying together in Atteridgeville.

Mahanjana said on April 27, the eight-year-old was left at home with the accused and a five-year-old child which the accused shares with the mother of the victim.

The mother had gone to work, and the accused was going to work a night shift.

“It is alleged that when the two children were watching TV, the five-year-old left her eight-year-old sibling and went to the toilet. While at the toilet it is alleged that the accused called the victim to his room.”

Mahanjana said when the five-year-old returned to the sitting room she could not find her sister and called out for her.

“It is alleged that the father told the five-year-old that the victim had gone out to the shops.”

Mahanjana said after the five-year-old realised that the victim had not left the house, she stood outside the house waiting for the mother to return from work.

“Upon the mother’s arrival at home, the accused already had gone to work. However, the five-year-old told the mother that the accused lied and said the victim had gone to the shops while she was still inside the house.”

She said the mother then enquired with the victim, who then told her that the stepfather raped her and has been raping her. The mother then took the child to the police station, where they reported the matter.

“The accused was arrested the following day on April 28, at their home when he returned from work.”

In court, the accused denied committing the offence.

“Through his legal representative, the accused asked to be released on bail, because he was a breadwinner for the family and needed to continue to provide for them. He further told the court that he intends to plead not guilty to the charges against him,” said Mahanjana.

However, state prosecutor Belinda Williamson opposed the accused’s release on bail and told the court he had committed a serious Schedule 6 offence.

“Furthermore, the accused was known to the victim and can therefore influence the victim to withdraw charges and threaten her since he had previously threatened and told her not to tell anyone about the rape incidents.”

Mahanjana said the magistrate agreed with the state and said he found that the accused did not prove that exceptional circumstances existed, which in the interest of justice permits his release on bail.

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