Man accused of raping his two-year-old niece denied bail

The man (27) accused of raping his two-year-old niece has been denied bail.

The accused was making his third appearance in the Pretoria magistrate’s court on Tuesday, October 25 in his quest to be released on bail.

Political parties, civil movements and gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) activists greeted the news with jubilation.

The accused allegedly raped his niece during load-shedding in Soshanguve last month.

The victim’s family spokesperson said the court’s ruling had restored their faith in the justice system.

“It has been a tough month. The family is divided now but then at least we now have hope that justice will be served in the future. I’m just so overwhelmed, I have nothing to say except to thank our supporters and everyone who prayed with us during this ordeal,” she said.

She said at one point during the ruling, she had felt as if the judge was siding with the accused rapist.

“But I understood that for him to make his ruling he had to be fair to both sides but I was crossing fingers and saying ‘please let him stay in custody so that justice can prevail without any interferences’,” she said.

She revealed that this incident has left the victim’s mother distraught and not coping at all.

“She is trying so hard to be strong for her kids but it’s clear she’s not coping.

“The baby is not doing well… on numerous occasions we had to rush her to the emergency room for medical care,” she said, adding that the brother was also not doing well.

She said that the family wouldn’t worry for their safety now that they know the accused will not be out.

Tshwane EFF, civil movements and GBVF activists have protested in front of the court since the accused made his first appearance last week.

They signed a petition to help build a strong case against the accused and support the victim’s family.

EFF’s Doronty Modiegi Singo said she was happy the court denied the accused bail.

“As EFF members we are happy with how the judge ruled and the facts he presented show that no one can contest the ruling,” she said.

She said they were not supporting the family as the EFF but as members of the community.

The accused will appear in court again on December 13.

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