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Menlo Park man (43) accused of raping 8-year-old granted bail
A Pretoria east man who stands accused of raping a minor was granted R3,000 bail after he pleaded with the court, saying that being detained would lead to financial loss and he wouldn’t be able to support his niece suffering from Down Syndrome.
The Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday granted bail to the 43-year-old from Menlo Park accused of raping an eight-year-old girl.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, the incident occurred on April 30 when the minor went to her neighbour’s house in Zwavelpoort to play with her friends.
“The owner of the residence, who is the accused’s family friend, then went out to pick vegetables from the garden and the child was left inside the house with the accused,” said spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana.
Mahanjana said the child then tried to leave the house, however, the accused allegedly blocked her way.
“He pushed her inside the house and grabbed her with her leggings then proceeded to insert his thumb in her private part. After the incident, the child left the premises and returned home.”
Mahanjana said a few days later while the grandmother was bathing the child, she told her what had happened.
“A case was opened against the accused on May 13. The accused handed himself over to the Boschkop Police Station on August 27.”
Mahanjana said through his legal representative, the accused asked to be released on R3,000 bail because he is a first-time offender and also due to the fact that he handed himself over to the police, which shows his full co-operation.
“He added that if he is denied bail, he will suffer financial loss as his newly opened business will lose customers which will result in him not being able to assist his niece who suffers from Down Syndrome.”
Mahanjana added that state prosecutor Mary Maodi opposed the bail application.
“The prosecutor handed a statement written by the investigating officer asking the court to deny bail because the accused might interfere with the investigations and convince the family of the victim to withdraw the charges against him,” said Mahanjana.
She said Moadi also told the court the complainant is a minor child who might relive the incident whenever she sees the accused and that would result in her being emotionally unstable.
During bail judgment, Magistrate Mfulwane said it is in the interest of justice that the accused be granted bail, as he is a suitable candidate.
Bail was granted on condition that the accused does not communicate with any witness or victim and refrains from visiting family and friends in Zwavelpoort.
The matter was postponed to September 26.
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