eMba artist again gets bail
He referred to protesters as rivals in the performing arts industry who are plotting against him.
A well-known artist (39) from eMbalenhle who appeared in court on another rape charge, was granted free bail on Tuesday, October 4.
The man was granted bail of R2 000 on September 20 when he appeared in the Evander Magistrate’s Court for the alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl four years ago.
The police rearrested him minutes later on another charge. Other cases were opened when more alleged victims stepped forward after seeing that the accused was in custody.
The latest bail application is in regards to the alleged sexual grooming, exploitation and rape of a girl who was in the man’s art group.
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He denied the accusation and said the girl’s mother approved of their relationship.
“When she fell pregnant, her mother wanted her to have an abortion, but I refused because I love children,” said the artist.
He also claimed the victim was not a member of his group, merely a visitor. It was said in court that the girl accompanied the art group to competition in Durban.
When asked why the girl went on the trip to Durban if she was not a member of the group, the artist said even parents of the children who are members of his group are welcome to travel with them.
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Magistrate Cornu Roos wanted to know what was the basis for him to entertain an alleged crime that allegedly happened in Durban without authorisation in centralising the case. He said he does not have jurisdiction over Durban cases.
The prosecution then withdrew the charges which stemmed from this particular Durban trip. During cross-examination, the artist referred to the community members who were protesting outside the courthouse on
Tuesday, as his “competitors in the performing arts industry” who are part of a plot against him.
“Some of those who are currently picketing outside court, are the ones who are staying with underage girls in their rented rooms in eMbalenhle. I have tried to fight this by telling their parents, but nothing happened,” he told the court.
Sergeant Nkosinathi Sibanyoni, the investigating officer, got in hot water with questions from the magistrate after Sibanyoni told the court that the applicant should not be granted bail.
Magistrate Roos asked the prosecution and the investigating officer what was the purpose of the second bail application and why the charges were not added to the first case.
“Every time a new complaint comes in, the applicant needs to apply for bail. Do you think that is fair?” he asked.
Roos granted the artist free bail on condition that he does not contact witnesses in the case and he does not enter eMbalenhle.
His case was postponed to Friday, November 25, for further investigation.
Although the man’s identity is known to Ridge Times, according to law, his name must be withheld until he has pleaded to all the charges against him.
