Teenager has been released on bail for allegedly raping his cousin

A 19-year-old Zimbabwean boy appeared in the Pretoria Magistrates Court on Monday charged with raping his 10-year-old cousin.

The victim’s mother and the defendant’s mother are siblings.

Plead not guilty

During court proceedings, the teenager denied committing the crime and, through his legal representative, applied for bail as he is still in Grade 11 at a private school.

He also argued that his continued detention would have a negative impact on him and he would miss his exams and be unable to continue his school education.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesman Lumka Mahajanna said the teenager had also told the court that he intended to plead not guilty to the charges.

Prosecutor Chris Maruma refused to allow the defendant to be released on bail, telling the court that he was at risk of absconding as he was in the country illegally. In addition, the defendant is known to the victim and can therefore influence the charges to be withdrawn.

“The judge agreed with the state that the accused was a flight risk, hence he was denied bail and the matter was adjourned to June 3 for further investigation,” Mahajanna said.

READ ALSO: Eastern Cape man sentenced to life for raping 84-year-old grandma

Rape

Mahajanna said the 10-year-old girl was allegedly raped after she visited her aunt, where the teenager was also staying.

“On the night of April 13, 2024, the victim and the accused were sleeping on the floor while the aunt was sleeping on the bed in the same room. At around 11 p.m., after the aunt turned off the lights, she noticed movement on the floor where the two were sleeping. Then the aunt uncovered the two and she saw her son naked and the victim without underwear.

“When she asked what was wrong, the ten-year-old told her that the defendant had raped her. The aunt then called the victim’s mother, told her what happened and reported the incident to the police the next morning,” Mahajanna said.

The teenager was arrested after turning himself in to police in the presence of his mother and aunt.

NOW READ: Two more people arrested in connection with the murder of Ditebogo Junior Phalane