Suspect accused of raping autistic woman remains in police custody pending DNA results
The accused appeared at the Mamelodi Magistrate’s Court on Monday but it was decided not to grant bail while awaiting DNA results, and the matter was moved to June 20.
Pending DNA results were the reason given for the decision by Mamelodi Magistrate’s Court to deny bail for a 54-year-old Mamelodi West man accused of raping an 18-year-old autistic woman.
A group of protesters together with organisations fighting to end gender-based violence welcomed the court’s decision on Monday.
Senior prosecutor Advocate Anne-Marie Bendeman said the accused would remain in police custody while waiting for the DNA results.
The autistic victim, also from Mamelodi West, has allegedly been diagnosed with an intellectual development disability.
The matter was moved to June 20.
On April 9, the accused allegedly took the victim to his house while on her way home from school and raped her.
The accused was officially arrested on April 12, following thorough investigations by detectives.
The victim’s mother said her daughter told her about the incident when she returned from work in the evening.
Community representative Mehlaefane Boxmann Shogole said they welcomed the court’s decision to keep the accused in police custody.
He said this was not the end but the beginning of justice, and as the community and different organisations fighting against GBV, they vowed to support the family until justice prevailed.
“We are not going to support them only when going to court; we will also visit to make sure the family is getting all the support they need, especially with the rape case,” said Shogole.
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