The case against a 56-year-old Dobsonville church elder, who is accused of raping a 12-year-old girl during Easter, will be transferred to the High Court following the finalisation of an indictment.

The accused made a brief appearance in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, July 2, after an attempt to hold proceedings via the Audio-Visual Remand system failed the day before.

The court heard that investigations have been completed and the magistrate’s office is in the process of drafting an indictment. Once finalised, the matter will be handed over to the High Court.

It was also noted that the accused is continuing to abandon his right to apply for bail.

• Also read: Dobsonville sexual assault accused abandons bail

He currently faces preliminary charges of rape and kidnapping. It is alleged that he sexually assaulted the girl inside his home in Dobsonville, and the case sparked public outrage after a video linked to the alleged incident spread rapidly on social media.

Public anger intensified after footage depicting the aftermath circulated online, prompting swift police action and the suspect’s subsequent arrest.

The court was quiet this morning, with no demonstrations or protests from community members, but there was a heavy police presence.

Speaking to the Roodepoort Record, a family member who asked not to be named to protect the victim said the minor has been relocated to another province. The family is also attending counselling to cope with the trauma.

“It has been a devastating time for the family, but we are taking it one day at a time. However, whenever we see the accused during these court cases, it feels like everything has just happened. We definitely want justice to prevail,” the family member said.

They added that they are pleased the matter has been transferred to the High Court and expressed gratitude for the community’s support.

Traditional leader and Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa’s (Contralesa) Kgoshi Setlamorago Mampuru Thobejane also stood with the family, condemning such crimes.

“We are deeply saddened by this case as an organisation because the role of men in society is to love, lead, and protect. As Contralesa, we have also started training boys from the age of five to protect young girls,” Thobejane said.

The case has been postponed to August 5, and the accused remains in custody.