Action Society outraged after 19-year-old rapist released on R1,500 bail

The Action Society is outraged that the rapist of Dahlia*, a 19-year-old girl from Harare, has been granted bail of only R1 500. The alleged accused is Dahlia’s stepfather and the rape occurred in May 2024.

The Action Society investigation team contacted the victim’s boyfriend, who said that Dahlia had been raped. The team immediately advised him to file a rape complaint at Harare Police Station. He also told the team that he had confronted the stepfather, who admitted to the crime. The stepfather was arrested shortly after the report was made to the police.

The accused, who is also a pastor, first appeared before the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court on May 16 and was released on R1 500 bail on May 28. A new court date is set for August 15, 2024.

“It is an insult to this young woman that her rapist has only been released on R1,500 bail. Is this the price of human dignity in South Africa? The perpetrator held a position of authority as a stepfather and pastor and abused it. We will continue to monitor this case until he is convicted of his crimes,” said Kaylynn Palm, head of the Action Society’s Action Centre.

Dahlia is a pseudonym used to protect the victim’s identity