Victory for residents: 'Rapist' not going anywhere!

RESIDENTS of Phuthaditjhaba in the Free State are relieved following a recent court decision.

The Phuthaditjhaba Magistrates Court denied bail to 22-year-old Thabang Motaung.

He is accused of raping an 84-year-old woman and stealing her two blankets and a plasma TV.

The much-anticipated bail application hearing took place on Tuesday, 15 April.

The accused allegedly broke into the gogo's house in Mabolela Village, QwaQwa, on Saturday, 29 March.

During the hearing, the State argued it would not serve the interests of justice to grant bail to the accused, who faces serious charges, including the rape of an elderly woman.

The State Prosecutor made a compelling case against granting bail to Thabang, citing his alleged attempt to evade justice.

"He was arrested while allegedly fleeing to KwaZulu-Natal in a hired vehicle. He was intending to evade justice. He was found with two stolen blankets belonging to the victim. The plasma TV belonging to the victim was recovered in a local tavern after being intensively questioned."

The prosecutor argued that Thabang's circumstances don't justify granting bail, given the severity of the crime and his apparent attempt to flee.

"The accused has no valid reasons. He told the court that he was still schooling. However, he last attended the school in January. One of his reasons is that he wanted to be granted bail to take care of his kid, whom he doesn't even know how old he/she is."

ALSO READ | Warning: Level four rain expected in this province!Opens in new window

Thabang's Legal Aid lawyer argued that his arrest while leaving his hometown does not necessarily mean he was attempting to flee.

"The accused deserves to be given an opportunity to further his studies. The state presented no evidence to prove that the accused was evading justice. The petition that was submitted to ask to deny him bail was signed by a member of a certain organisation, not the community," she said.

The court denied Thabang's bail application and ensured he remains in custody pending trial.

The Magistrate posted that Thabang had no valid reasons that could convince the court to grant him bail.

"The accused failed to present evidence that he's a registered student. This court is not satisfied with his reasons. It would not be in the interest of justice and the public to grant him bail. His child is under his/her mother's care, so this should not be a reason valid. Therefore, the bail has been denied."

Gatvol residents and community organisations, including the MAP16 Civic Movement Women's Component and Ahanang Banna Men's Forum, have applauded the decision.

They also expressed concerns about community safety and emphasised the need for justice for the elderly victims.

Matshepo Mokubung, the secretary of MAP16 Women's Component, applauds the court for ensuring that the accused remains incarcerated until his sentence.

"We're happy that the court has considered our concerns as women. We have submitted a signed petition to the Prosecutor to put pressure on the court in an attempt to demand no bail against the accused. We don't want such kind of people in our communities," she said

The chairman of Ahanang Banna Men's Forum, Pule Lekhoaba, emphasises that there is no reason to justify rape.