A local school principal accused of raping a 12-year-old victim in a tavern, appeared briefly in the eSikhawini Regional Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
Thobani Dominic Simelane (53) was arrested by Mtunzini police earlier this year after a charge of rape was laid against him by the victim’s grandmother.
State evidence showed that Simelane had allegedly lured the victim inside the room next to a tavern and sexually assaulted her.
‘He asked me to go to the room because he had a message for my grandmother. Inside the room, he undressed and raped me,’ said the victim.
During the annual virginity testing in the area, the victim informed the elders of what had happened and the matter was referred to the family, who then opened a case with the police.
Another case was opened against him at the Tribal court, and he was asked to pay a penalty to the family.
Simelane’s case was remanded to 27 November to give him enough time to appoint new legal representation.
