Everson Luhanga
A Kagiso man on trial for rape and kidnapping was released on bail.
While out on bail he raped another woman.
This horrifying story, published on Scrolla.Africa on September 13th, drove the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to intervene and revoke his bail – and make sure the man can no longer threaten the women of Kagiso and Soweto.
The first arrest was made on September 2, and the individual got R3000 bail. His first victim was allegedly kidnapped for over eight hours and repeatedly raped at one of the suspect’s mother’s houses in Protea Glen, Soweto.
On September 8th he allegedly raped again, and was rearrested two days later.
Then, on September 20, the NPA revoked his bail – and the police have thanked Scrolla.Africa for bringing the details of the first case to light.
The investigating officer said “if it wasn’t for Scrolla.Africa, the suspect was going to get bail again”.
This week he appeared again on Monday, and the case has been postponed till next week.
A magistrate at the Kagiso court said: “A week after you were given bail, you committed the very same crimes you were arrested for.
“You were told not to repeat the same crime as part of your bail condition in your first offence.
“Because you have repeated the very same crime, women out there including myself are not safe. It is therefore important to keep you behind bars so that we are safe and that the victims have trust in the country’s justice system,” she said.
These words echoed the halls of the Kagiso Magistrates’ court and forced the rape suspect to abandon his bail application and remain behind bars.
His first victim – who was astonished he had been released on R3000 bail – said, “At least I know that he is locked up. I am happy and I want to see him face the full might of the law for what he did to me. I am still traumatised.”
Speaking to Scrolla.Africa, the first victim said when the suspect was released after raping her, she was very concerned because the man was armed and dangerous.
Police spokesman Captain Solomon Sibiya said police are likely to link the suspect to similar cases. “We are still waiting for the DNA test results to determine if the suspect is linked to other rape cases,” said Captain Sibiya.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said they will oppose any attempt by the suspect to get bail this time at any stage.
