A 41-year-old man accused of raping his 19-year-old niece multiple times will remain behind bars until his next court appearance.
The man who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim appeared before the Bushbuckridge Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, 11 April.
According to Mpumalanga police spokesman, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, the man faces charges of rape after he allegedly raped his niece on Sunday, 9 April.
Relaying the course of events, Mohlala said it was alleged that on Saturday, 8 April the victim was at a tavern in Bushbuckridge together with her male friend.
ALSO READ: Nyaopes raped me, asked for R2!
The victim’s uncle and his female companion were also there at the same time as the victim, Mohlala added.
He said in the early hours of Sunday, 9 April 2023, the victim's friend allegedly approached the girl’s uncle to request a lift for her as he was going to a different direction.
Upon agreeing, all three including the uncle's female companion drove together to a certain house.
He said:
In the morning, Mohlala said the victim reported the matter to the police and a case was opened.
Mohlala told Daily Sun that he could not divulge much about the matter but could confirm that the victim did not live with the uncle but instead he was meant to drop the her by her home.
After an investigation was conducted, the suspect was traced and arrested on Monday morning, 10 April.
His arrest was followed by his court appearance on Tuesday where the matter was postponed to 21 April for a formal bail application, Mohlala said.
He said the suspect would remain in custody until his next court appearance.
The Mpumalanga Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has strongly condemned this action.
He further raised concern especially when Gender-Based-Violence violence is allegedly perpetrated by those closely related to the victims.
